The Fifteenth Amendment and Its Nullification
“SHALL the Fifteenth Amendment be repealed?” inquires The Independent (N. Y.), having in view the recent legislation and court decisions, and other manifestations of public sentiment in certain sections, contrary to the results intended to be secured by that part of the national Constitution. In answer to the question, The Independent says that this amendment (which confers on the negro the right of suffrage) will not be repealed; that all talk of such a thing is foolish, since a repeal of a part of the Constitution “would require, first, a two-thirds vote in favor of it by both houses of Congress; then it would have to go to the States, and be ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of them. The negative vote of twelve States would defeat the proposition.” The Independent’s opinion is probably correct; the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution will not be repealed. It will remain a part of the great document which is fundamental in this government. But its provisions will be nullified by legislation, by court decisions, and by public sentiment. This is already being done, and the process will go on so long as the existing racial antagonism continues. When a part of the Constitution is repealed in public sentiment, it matters little whether it remains a part of the printed document or not.