Speech #940066390

With the adoption of the 15th amendment. the Constitution came closer to realizing the ideals of the Declaration of Independence by giving them the force of law. Although noble in principle. the 15th amendment never became a working reality. For more than a century after the Civil War. many State governments found ways around the intent of the 15th amendment by providing for literacy tests and other devices designed to keep the voting booths another white only area. Ninetyfive years after the approval of the 15th amendment. Congress found it necessary to enact legislation to insure the right to vote was not granted or denied merely on the basis of race.