No secret schemes can be devised which will interfere with the rights of the humblest citizen, no power can be created strong enough wrongfully to invade the right to life, liberty, and property. These guaranties, being written into the Constitution, will stand forever, unless the people by their own choice shall throw away these great guaranties and destroy these great blessings.
Then following the Civil War, the people of America adopted the following as part of the Constitution of the United States:
"_The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude._"(79)
You remember the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln which struck the chains from the limbs of men and women and children who had been slaves for generations. They were human beings, though of the colored race. They were lifted from the position of slavery to the dignity of citizenship, and clothed with power to help in the government of their country by being given the privilege of going to the ballot box to vote. To establish this right and protect this privilege for all time, this amendment to the Constitution was adopted by the people of the United States. It was a bold thing to do, to clothe a subject race which had little opportunity for education with the rights of citizenship. No nation in the world ever before attempted such a wonderful and radical experiment; but the people of America, having real confidence in human beings, regardless of color, race, or creed, assumed the responsibility of admitting the former slaves as part of the power of government in this country.
Of course you realize that the value of a citizen to his country, when it comes to voting and making laws, depends upon his knowledge of public affairs, and his confidence in his government; and therefore education is absolutely necessary to real service to one's country. That is one of the big objects of education--to qualify persons for full citizenship.(80)
Too many of us consider the right to vote simply as a privilege to help some neighbor to be elected to some public office. This view is all wrong. Our country is first, and we never should help a neighbor to be elected to an office unless that neighbor can help to make this a better government.(81)