Year: 1870

Following is the full text of the Procla-
nation by President Grant of the Ratifca-
tion of the Fifteenth Amendment, together
with the PRONUNCIATION order by the Secre-
tary of State


10 the Senate and House of Represew
tat'ves 1t is unusual to notify the two
houses Of Congress by message of the pro-
mitigation by proclamation of the Secretary
of1state of the ratification of Canstita-
tional 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 justrif-
able. A 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,
not eligible to become so, with the assertion
at the time of the Declaration Of Independ-
ance, 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 politics, that the black men had no
rights which white men were bound to
respect, is indeed measure of grander i'm.
portance 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, patriotism and industry. I
call the attention, therefore, of the newly
enfIanchised 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 fra mers of our Constitution firmly be-
lieved that republican form of govern
ment 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 general
diffusion of knowledge. In proportions as
the structure of the Government gives force
to publican opinion, it is essential that
public opinion should be enlightened"


In his first annual message to Congress,
the same views were 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 proper
ton to the heed given to the urgent rec
eommendation of Washington. If these
recommendations we1e important then,
with population of but few millions, how
much more important now, with popua-
tion Of forty millions, and increasing in a
rapid ratio. | would, therefore, call upon
Congress to take all means within their
constitutional power to promote and en-
courage popular education throughout the
country, and upon the people everywhere
to see to it that all who possess and exercise
political rights shall have the opportunity
to acquire knowledge which will make their
share in Government blessing, and not a
danger. BY such means only can the ben
e6ts contemplated by this amendment be
secured


(Signed) U. S. GRANT.


EXECUTIVE MANSION, Mar. 80, 1870.


HAMILTON FISH,


Secretary of State of the United States.