The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-04-14
WASHINGTON, d. c., /
April 4, 1870. (

IHE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
sound the loud timbrel Ger Egypts dark
sea,
Jehoysh van !. hath triumphed, her people are
By a special message, the Presi,
dent of tho United States has an
nounccd to Congress tho complete
ratification Of the Fifteenth Amend
mcnt to the Constitution. This is
the cap sheaf in the total and entire
emancipation Of the colored race
Abraham Lincoln will livein history
torover tor his glorious emancipation
proclamation hY which four million
OF human beings werc unfettered.-
The shackles wore struck of, and the
slave stood orect-a free mana
free woman. The present, and future
generations docs and will bless the
memory of our martyrcd President.
But mere proclamation was insuffic
lent to throw around the colored
race that protection for which the
true spirit of the Declaration Of In
dependence calls. Legislation was
necessary to insure political equality
before the law. The Fourteenth
Amendment was passed by wise
and liberal Congress and the country
indorsed that action afterwards. 1t
was considered proper, yea, necessa.
ry that another amendment should
be made to the Constitution which
should positively declare the colored
people entitled to tho right of suf.
frage throughout the length and
breadth Of the land. President
Grant aptly remarks IN his message:
"The adoption of this fifteenth
amendment completes the greatest
civil change ana constitutes the
most important event that ever has
occurred since the nation came into
life."
President Grant crushed rebellion
with the sword, and now formally
proclaims the ratification of that act
which enfranchisc the liberated bond
man, and places him politically the
peer Of any other man in tho land.
His advice to the wly-eEfranchiscd
race shows that he earnestly seeks
to advance the welfare and prosperi-
ty of the humblest individuals in our
domain, be they black or white
His message will pass into history
as an able State Paper AMI reflects
much credit upon him as the Head of
a great Nation. 1t is proposed to
have public demonstration here
next week in honor Of the important
event.
THE THIRD AUTHORSHIP.
Hon. Allen Rutherford the new.y
chosen Third Auditor of the Trcasu.
ry aas arrived from North Carolina
and is stopping at tho Owen House.
Hon, Reader W. Clarke Of Ohio, re-.
signed the position about four months
ago, since which time A. NJ. Gangew-
or, Esq, of Ohio, has been Acting
Auditor by virtue of his position as
Chief Clerk OF the Office. 1t is ru-
mored that Col. Rutherford will not
accept the position; and that interest
cd friends @ secured the position for
him in order to clear the coast in the
Tar Heel State for certain Congress-
ional aspirants who were jealous of
Rutherford's popularity. l do not
know this to be true and only give it
for what it is worth. However, that
gentleman's presence here rather
indicates his acceptance of the posi-
ton.
DISTRICT POLITICS.
The District politicians are quar-
relling like Kilkenny cats, while VIC
outsiders look on with tho utmost
complaccncy. There are the Bowen
and anti-Bowen parties. and to be-
liovo the small bore politicians on
either side, we would infer they arc
all rascals alike and robbing the dear
people Of the last penny. Mayor
Bowen in all probability is human
he has undoubtedly made mistakes.
Most mon do. But that Lo is tho un.
adulterated rascal that some would
have us regald him, ] cannot believe.
Major Richards the present efficient
Superintendent Of Police is spoken oi
in connection with the Mayorality at
the Juno election. | hope the Terri,
torial Government movement will
step in and settle the question. Its
the best thing that could be done fol
this much abused, badly governed
and neglected District OF Columbia,
GENERAL JAMES A. EkIN.
This gentleman, one of the mosl
efficient officers in the service anC