Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-04-06

Texas having been admitted to representa-
tion 10 Congress, on the same terms as Vir
GINA and Mississippi, aud thus all doubt
having been removed that the Fifteenth
Amendment had been ratified by the requisite
number of States in good and regular stand
ing in the Union, the President has issued
the following Proclamation, which will be re.
ceivcd with joy by every good and right
minded citizen in the land
NsES.Gr or the PRESIDENT TO CONGRESS.
10 he Scnaf, and House Of Representatives..
Il is unusual to notify the two Houses Of Con
gress by message OF the PRONUNCIATION OF the
proclamation by the Secretary OF state Of the
ratification Of a Constitutional amendment. In
view, however, of the vast importance OF the i'll
teenth amendment of the Constitution, this day
declared part of that royercd instrument, deem n
departure from the usual custom justfablc. The
measure which makes 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 20 become so, with
the assertion that at the time Of the Declaration
of Independence the opinion was fixed and uni
ycrsal in the civilized portion Of the world, re-
gurded as an axiom in morals MS well rs in poll
tics that black men had no rights white men
were bound to respect is indeed measure of
grander importance than any other one act OF the
kind from the foundation ol our free government
To the present time. Institutions like our, IN
which all power is derived directly from the pe0-
pie, must depend mainly upon their intelligence
patriotism ami industry. ! call the attention,
therefore, Ot The newly enlmnchised mce t0 the
importance OF their striving in every honorable
manner to make themselves worthy Of their new
privilege To- the race more favored heretofore
hy our laws would say, withhold no legal prNi-
lege Of advancement t1 the new citizens.
The trainers Of our Constitution firmly believed
Republican form of government could not en-
dure without intelligence and education were
generally dilused among the people The Faith
er OF bis country, in his Farewell Address, uses
this language " Promote then, as q matter Of
primary Importance. institutions for the general
diffusion OF knowledge. In proportion as the
structure Of government gives force % public
opinion it is essential that public opinion should
Congress, the same views were iorcibly express
ed, and again urged in his eighth message. ! re-
peat the adoption OF the 18th amendment COM
pctes the greatest civil change. and constitutes
the most important event that has occurred since
this government came into life. The change Will
he beneficial in proportion 10 the heed given 20
the urgent recommendations Of Washington. II
these recommendations were important then,
with u population Of but u few millions, how
much more important now, with u population
of forty millions, and increasing in rapid ratio.
would therefore call upon Congress to take all
means within their constitutional power to pro-
mote and encourage popular education through
out tho country, and upon the people everywhere
10 see to it that all who possess and exercise poll
teal rights shall have the opportunity to acquire
the knowledge which will make their share in the
government blessing and not danger. BY
such means only can the benefits contemplated by
this amendment 10 the Constitution be secured
(Signed,) 1 $. GRANr.
HANmTuS FsH, Secretary Of State.
March N