Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-04-06
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.

WASHINGTON, MARgH 30.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
Its unusual 10 notify the two
Houses Of G ngress, by message. of
the PRONUNCIATION by proclamation Of
the Secretary of State of the 1atifca-
ton of a constitutional amendment
In view, however, Of the vast impoI-
lance ofthe fifteenth amendment the
Constitution, this day declared part
Of that revered instrument, [ deem a
departure from the usual custom iusti-
fable. A measure which makes at
at once four millions of people, voters
who were heretofore declared by the
highest tribunal in the land, not citizens
of the United States nor eligible to be
come 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
tace and regarded as an axiom in NOR
ais, as well as in politics, that hblack
men had no rights which white men
were bound to respect" is indeed
measure of grander importance than
any other one act Of tn kind from the
foundation Of our free Government to
the present time.
Insti utions like ours. in which all
power is derived directly from the PEG.
pie, must depend mainly upon their in,
telligence, patriotism and industry.
call the attention, therefore, of the
newly enfranchised race to the impor-
lance of their striving, in every hon
orable 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 advancement to the new
citizens. The trainers Of our Constitu-
ton 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 fare
well address, used this language
Promote, then, as a matter of pri,
mary Importance, institutions for the
general diffusion of knowledge. In
proportion as the structure of the Gov
eminent gives force to public opinion,
1t Is essential that public opinion should
be enlightened
In his first annual message to Con
gress the same views were forcibly pre-
sented, and are again urged in his
eighth message. repeat that the
adoption OF the fifteenth amendment to
the Constitution completes the greatest
| civil change and constitutes the most
important event that has occurred since
the nation came into life The change
will be beneficial in proportion to the
heed that is given to the urgent recon-
mendatlons of " ashington. If these
recommendations were important then,
with a population Of but a few millions
how much more important now, with
population of forty millions, and in
creasing in rapid ratio.
| would therefore call upon Con-
gress to take ali means within their
constitutional power to promote AID en-.
courage popular education throughout
the Country, and upon the people every
where to see to it that all who posses
and exercise political rights shall lave
an opportunity to acquire the knowl-
| edge which will make their share in
the Government a blessing and not {
danger. By such means only can the
benefits contemplated by this amend
ment to the Constitution be secured.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, March 80, 1870
HAMILTON FISH,
Sec'y Of State Of United States.