The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-05-04
Ratification of the Fifteenth
Amendment.

|
We give below the Proclamation of the Presi-
dent Of the United States, OF the ratification Of
the Fifteenth amendment to the Constitution,
which will no doubt he interesting to our readers:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
1t is unusual to notify the two Houses of Con-
gress by message Of the promulgation by procla-
nation of the Secretary of State of the rati6ca>
tion Of Constitutional Amendment In view,
however, of the Fifteenth Amendment to the
Constitution, this day declared a part of that
reverend Instrument | deem departure from
the usual custom justi6able A measure which
makes at once four millions of people voters, who
were heretofore declared by the highest tribunal
10 the land not citizens Of the United States,
not eligible TO become so, with the assertion 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 Ak
iom in morals as well as in politics. that the
black men had no rights which white men we're
bound to respect is indeed 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 directly from the people, must
mainly depend upon their intelligence, patriot
ism and industry. | call the attention, therefore,
of the newly enfranchised race to the importance
of their striving in every honorable 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 fran
ers of our Constitution firmly believed that re-
publican form of government could not endure
without intelligence and education generally diff
fused among the people. The father of his eoun-
try, in his Farewell Address, used these words :
Promote then, as a matter of primary import
ance, institutions for the general diffusion Of
knowledge In proportion as the structure of
the Government gives force to public opinion, it
is essential that public opinion should be en-
ightened. are
In his first annual message to Congress, the
same views we're forcibly presented, and were
again urged in his eighth message. repeat that
the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment to the
Constitution completed 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
heed given to the urgent recommendations of
Washington. If these recommendations were
important then, with population of but few
millions, how much more important now, with
population of forty millions, and increasing in a
rapid ratio. l would, therefore, call upon Con-
gress to take all means within their constitution
al power to promote aud encourage popular edu.
cation throughout the country, and upon the peo-
pie everywhere to see to it that all who possess
and exercise political rights shall have the op-
portunity to acquire knowledge which will make
their share in the government blessing, and not
danger, BY such means only can the benefits
contemplated by this amendment be secured.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT
Executive Mansion. March 3O 1870.
THE PROCLAMATION.
To all lohonr these presents may come, greet
inq Know We that the Congress of the United
States. on or about the 9th day of February, in
the year 1869, passed resolution in the words
and figures following to wit: e5
A Resolution proposing an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States.
Resofred, By the Senate and House of Repre-
Sentatives of the United STATES of America, in
Congress assembled. two-thirds of both Houses
concurring. that the following article be proposed
to the Legislatures of the several States as an
amendment to the Constitution Of the United
States which, when ratified by three-fourths of
said Legislatures shall be valid as part OF tie
Constitution, namely:
Act. Is, Sec. 1.-The rights of citizens of the
/ United States to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or any State, on
account of race, color, or previous condition of
servitude.
"Sec 1.-Congress shall have power to en-
force this article by appropriate legislation"
And further That it appears from official doc
uments on the file of this department, that the
amendment to the Constitution of the United
States proposed as aforesaid has been ratified by
/ the Legislatures of the States Of North Carolina
/ West Virginia, Massachusetts Wisconsin, Maine
Louisiana Michigan South Carolina, Pennsylva-
MIA. Arkansas, Connecticut Florida. Illinois Iowa.
! Indiana, New York. New Hamshire Nevada
Vermont Missouri, Virginia, Alabama Kansas
| Mississippi Minnesota, Ohio Rhode Island Ne
/ braska and Texas. in all % States; and further
that it appears from an official document on file
in this departmant that the Legislature of the
State of New York has since passed resolutions
! claiming to withdraw said ratification of said
amendment, which had been made by the Iegis-
lature Of that State and of which, official notice
had been fled in this department; and further,
that it appears from an official document on file
in this department, that the Legislature of Geor-
gia has, by resolution, ratified said proposed
amendment.
NOr therefore, Be it known, that I, Hamilton
/ Fish, Secretary of State of the United States by
virtue and in pursuance of the second section of
the Act of Congress approved on the 10th day of
April in the year 1878. entitled An Act to
provide for the publication of the Laws Of the
United States and for other purposes do hereby
certify that the amendment aforesaid has become
valid to all intents and purposes as part of the
Constitution Of the United States. OLGA
In fesfifnonv yvhereof have her1unto set INV