The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-04-06

tance institutions for the general diffusion
of knowledge. In proportion as the struc
ture of the Government gives force to pub
lie opinion, it is essential that pubic opin-
ion should be enlightened" In his first
annual message to Congress the same views
were forcibly presented and are again urg-
ed In his eighth message.
I repeat that the adoption of the Fif-
teenth 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 pro-
portion to the heed that is given to the
urgent recommendations of Washington.
If these recommendations were important
them with population of but few mil
lions, how much more important now with
q population of forty millions and increas-
ing IN rapid ratio e? would therefore, call
upon Congress to take all the means with
in their constitutional power, to promote
and encourage popular education through
out the country and upon the people ev-
erywhere, to see it that all who possess
and exercise political rights shall have an
opportunity to acquire knowledge, which
win make their share in the government a
blessing and not danger. BY such means
only can the benefit contemplated by this
amendment to the constitution be secured.
U. S. GRANT,
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.
To ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS MAY
COME GETTING: Know We, that the Con-
gress of the United States, on or about the
9th day of February, in the year 1869,
passed a resolution in words and figures
following to wit A resolution proposing
an amendment to the Constitution of the
United States.
Resolved, By the Senate and House OF
Representatives of the United States OF
America in Congress assembled, two-thirds
of both Houses concurring that the fol-
| lowing article be proposed to the Legis-
| latures of the several States as an amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
States, which. when ratified by three
| fourths of the said Legislatures, shall be
valid as q part of the Constitution named
! ARTICLE, 15-Section l. 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 OF
color, or previous condition of servitude
Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to
enforce this article by appropriate legisla-
ton.
And further, that it appears from official
documents on file IN 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, Louis
lana, Michigan, South Carolina, Pennsyl-
vania, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida
Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, New York, New
Hampshire, Nevada, Vermount, Missouri
Virginia, Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi
Minnesota, Ohio, Rhode Island; Nebrasks
and Texas, In all twenty mine States.
And further. that States whose Legisla.
lures have so ratified the said proposed
amendment constitute three-fourths the
whole number of States in the United
| States.
And further, that it appears, from al
official document on file in this Depart
ment, that the Legislature of the State o
New York has since passed resolutions
claiming to withdraw said ratification o
said amendment which had been made by
the Legislature of that State, and of which
official notice had been filed in this De
partment.
And further that it appears from al
| official document on file IN this depart
ment the Legislature of Georgia has by
resolution ratified the said proposed amend
ment.
Now, therefore, be it known that I
Hamilton Fish, Secretary Of State Of tht
United States, by virtue and in pursuance
of the section of the act of Congress ap
proved the Goth day of April, 1878, emit
tied "an act to provide for the publication
of the laws of the United States and TO
other purposes" do hereby certify that thu
amendment aforesaid has become valid t
all intents and purposes as a part OF th'
Constitution Of the United States. II
testimony whereof have hereunto set M
hand and caused the seal of the Depart
ment of State to be affixed
Done at the City of Washington thu
30th day of March, in the year OF on
Lord 1870, and of the Independence o.
the United States the ninety fourth.
HAMILTON FISH.