Chap. 1.—An ACT to ratify the Joint Resolution of Congress, passed
February 27, 1869, proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the

United States. |
. Approved October 8, 1869.

Whereas, it is provided by the constitution of the United |
States of America, that congress may, whenever two-thirds of
both houses deem it necessary, propose amendments to the
same, to be ratified by the legislatures of thtee-fourths of the
several states, or by conventions therein, as the one or the
other mode may be proposed by congress.

And, whereas, by the fortieth congress of the United States,
at the third session thereof, begun and held at the city of
Washington on Monday, the seventh day of December, eigh-
teen hundred and sixty-eight, it was

“ Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the
United States of America, in congress assembled (two-thirds
of both houses concurring), That the following article be pro-
posed to the legislatures of the several states as an amendment
to the constitution of the United States, which, when ratified
by three-fourths of said legislatures, shall-be valid as part of
the constitution, namely:

“ARTICLE XV.

“Szcrion 1. 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. -

“Section 2. The congress shall have power to enforce this ar-
ticle by appropriate legislation.”

Therefore, be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, |
That the aforesaid amendment to the constitution of the Uni-
ted States be and the same is hereby ratified.

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