Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-04-08
Proclamation Announcing the Ratifica-
tiOn of the Fifteenth Amendment.
WASHINGTON. March 80.

w Ash nldlCH ~.
To the Senote and House Of Representatives..
1t is unusual to notify the two houses
of Congress by message of the promulga-
ton by proclamation of the Secretary of
State of the ratification of a constitutional
amendment In view, however, OF the
vast Importance of. the Fifteenth Amend
ment to the Constitution, this day declared
part of that revered instrument, | deem
departure from the usual custom iustifi-
able. A measure which makes at once
four millions of people veters, who were
heretofore declared by the highest tri-
bunal in the land not citizens of the
+ United States, nor eligible to become So,
with the assertion that at the time of the
declaration of independence the opinion
was fixed and universal in the civilized
portion of the white race, and regarded
as an axiom in morals as well as in poll
tics, that the black men had no rights
which white men were bound to respect,
is indeed measure of grander importance
than any other one act Of the kind from
the foundation of our free government to
the present time. Institutions Ike ours,
in which all power is derived directly
from the people, must depend mainly
upon their intelligence, patriotism, and
industry. | call the attention, there fore
portanee of their striving in every honor
able manner to make themselves worthy
of their new privilege. To the race more
favored heretofore by our laws, would
say: Withhold no legal privilege of ad
vancement to the new citizens. The fran
ers of our constitution firmly believed
that republican form of government
could not endure without intelligence
and education generally diffused among
the people. The Father of his Country
in his Farewell Address, used this language
promote, then, as matter of primary
Importance, institutions for the genera
diffusion Of knowledge. In proportion
as the structure of the government gives
force to public opinion, it is essential tha
public opinion should be enlightened"
In his first annual message to Congress
the same views were forclbly presented
and were again urged in bis eighth mes
sage. repeat that the adoption of the
Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution
completed the greatest civil change, anc
constitutes the most important event tina
has occurred since the nation came int
life. 60
The change will be beneficial in proper
ton to the heed given to the urgen
recommendations of Washington. If thes,
recommendations were important then
witha population of but few millions
how much more important now, with {
population of forty millions, and increas
ing in a rapid ratio. / would, therefore
call upon Congress to take all means
within their constitutional power to pro
mote and encourage popular education
throughout the country, and upon the
people everywhere to see to it that al
who possess and exercise political rights
shall have the opportunity to acquire
knowledge which will make their share
in the government blessing and not 1
danger. By such means only can the ben
efits contemplated by this amendment b.
secured.
(Signed) u. s GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 80, 1870
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State O
the United States. = ~