themselves worthy of their new
privilege. To the race more favored heretofore by our laws I
would say, withhold no legal privilege of advancement to the new
citizen. The framers of our Constitution firmly believed that a
republican government could not endure without intelligence and
education generally diffused among the people. The 'Father of his
Country,' in his farewell address, uses this language: 'Promote,
then, as a matter of primary importance, 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 enlightened.' In his first annual
message to Congress the same views are forcibly presented, and
are again urged in his eighth message.

"I repeat that the adaption of the XVth 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 recommendations of Washington.
If these recommendations were important then, with a population
of but a few millions, how much more important now, with a
population of forty millions, and increasing in a rapid ratio.

"I would therefore call upon Congress to take all the means
within their constitutional powers to promote and encourage
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 the
knowledge which will make their share in the government a
blessing and not a danger. By such means only can the benefits
contemplated by this amendment to the Constitution be secured.

"U. S. GRANT.

"EXECUTIVE MANSION, March 30, 1870."

CERTIFICATE OF MR. SECRETARY FISH RESPECTING THE RATIFICATION OF
THE XVTH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION, MARCH 30, 1870.

"HAMILTON FISH, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

"_To all to whom these presents may come, greeting_:

"Know ye that the Congress of the United States, on or about the
27th day of February, in the year 1869, passed a resolution in
the words and figures following, to wit:

"A RESOLUTION