Speech #880243527

The 15th amendment prevents citizens from being denied or abridged their right to vote. either by the United States or by any State. on account of race. color. or previous condition of servitude. and gives to Congress the power to enforce the provisions of the amendment by appropriate legislation. The 14th amendment. which is all too commonly ignored. provides: Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States. and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein their reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States. nor shall any State deprive any person of life. liberty. or property without due process of law. nor deny to any person within Its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. This provides that citizenship is a national as well as a State matter and that all are citizens on equal terms.