An amendment to the Constitution of the United States that granted citizenship and equal rights, both civil and legal, to Black Americans, including those who had been emancipated by the thirteenth amendment.
The House of Representatives of the Thirty-Ninth Session of Congress
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Mr. Delano presented the credentials of members-elect from the State of Arkansas; Mr. Conkling submits a resolution to be referred to the Joint Committee on Reconstruction; Mr. Orth submits joint resolution H. Res. 39; the House continues to consider H. R. 1
Whereas, all just government derives its powers from the consent of the governed; and whereas, the best mode of obtaining that consent is by means of the ballot-box; and whereas the white men of the District of Columbia have recently decided by that means that, in their opinion, the black man should not be allowed the right of suffrage: Therefore,
Resolved, That the Committee for the District of Columbia be instructed to inquire into the expediency of ordering an election, at which the black men of the District shall decide by ballot whether or not, in their opinion, the white men should be allowed the right of suffrage.