Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-04-09
MESSAGE ANNOUNCING THE RATI.
FICATION OF THE FIFTEENTH
AMENDMENT.

wAsHINdToN, d. G., March sOth.
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sestdtiUes: 1t is unusual to notify the
two houses of Congress by message
Of the PRONUNCIATION by proclamation
of the Secretary Of State of the rati-
fication of constitutional amend
ment. In view, however, OF the vast
Importance of the Fifteenth amend
ment of the Constitution, this day
declared a part Of that revered instrli-
ment, I deem a departure from
usual customs justifiable. A measure
which makes at once four millions of
people voters who were heretofore de-
clared by the highest tribunal In the
land not citizens of the United States
nor eligible to become SO, with the rs
sertion that at the time of the De-
elaration of Independence the opin-
ion was fixed and universal among
the civilized portion of the white race
and regarded as an axiom In morals
as we'll as in politics that black men
were bound to respect, is indeed a
measure of grander importance than
any other act of the Kind from the
foundation Of our free government to
the present time. Institutions like
ours, in which all power is derived di
rectly from the people, must depend
mainly upon observation-disclosures, patri.
otism, and industry call the atten-
ton, therefore, of the newly-enfran-
chised race to the Importance Of theil
striving in every honorable manner to
make themselves worthy of their new
1 privilege. To the race more favored
Heretofore by our laws, ! would say
no legal privilege of advan-
vaucement to new citizens. The fra.
mers af our Constitution firmly he.
lieved that a republican form of gov.
ernnent could not endure without In.
telligence and education generally
diffused among the people.
The Father of his Country, in hi.
farewell address, used this language
promote then as matter of prima
ry Importance institutions for the
general diffusion of knowledge. II
proportion as the structure of the
Government gives force to public OPP
inion, IL is essential that public opin
ion. should be enlightened" In hi'
first annual message to Congress tn,
same views were forcibly presented
and are again urged in his eight
message. ha
repeat, that the adoption OF tn,
Fifteenth amendment to the Consti
tuition completes the greatest civil
change and constitutes the most i'm
portant event that has occurred sinct
the nation came into life. -
The change will be beneficial in pro
portion to heed that is given to tn,
urgent recommendations of Wash
Iington, If these recommendation
were important thcn with popula
ton Of but few millions, how mucf
more important now, with popula
ton of 10000, 900, increasing in rap
id ratio? ,aHe.
I would, therefore, call upon Con
gress to take all means within thei
constitutional power to promote an,
encourage popular education through
out the country, and upon the peopl
every where to see to 1t that all VIII,
possess and exercise political right
shall have an opportunity to acquir
knowledge which will make thei
share In the Government blessin,
and not danger. BY such mean
can the benentits contemplated b,
this amendment to the Constitution
be secured.
[Singed.1 u. 8. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 80, 1877
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary @
the United States.
PROCLAMATION.
To al whom these presents may, come
, greeting:
: Know We, that the Congress {
the United States, on or abou
the 9th OF February, in the yea
1869, passed a resolution, In word
and figures following, to wit:
"a Resolution proposing an amend
ment to the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States.
e Resolved by the Senate and Hous
Of Representatives. OF the Unite
States Of america in Congress dssen,
bed, t,Do thirds of both Houses con
curing, That the following article b
proposed to the Legislatures of tn
several States as an amendment I
> the Constitution of the Unied States
{ which, when ratified by three-fourth
: of said Legislatures, shall be valid u
$ part OF the Constitution, namely
"Article Is, section |. The right {
citizens of the United States or an,
State on occount of race, color or pre-
vious condition of servitude.
"Section .. Congress shall hav
power to enforce this article by M
, propriate legislation"
And iruther, That II appears, from
official documents ON file IN this de
Ipartment, that the Commandment to tn
Constitution OF the United State,
proposed as aforesaid, has been rat
. He'd by the Legislatures of the State
|, OF North Carolina, West Virgins
Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Main,
Louisiana, Michigan, south Care
lima, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Cor
necticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, In
/. diana, New York, New Hampshir'
Nevada, Vermont, Missouri, Virgin
!. la, Alabama, Kansas. Mississippi
!. Minnesota, Ohio, Rhode Island, N,
d braska, and Texas, in all 90 States
Aud further, That the States who's
legislature have - ratified said pre-