Section Iv.--Public Debt.

The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for the payment of pensions, and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave, but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

This section needs little comment. It means simply that any expense incurred on the part of government in suppressing rebellion shall be paid; and that debts incurred in aid of rebellion shall not be paid. It applies not only to the late Civil War but to all future wars of the same kind.

ARTICLE XV.

SUFFRAGE.

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.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

This amendment was intended to put negroes upon the same footing as white people in the matter of suffrage.

Each state, as has previously been stated, prescribes the qualifications of voters within its borders. It may require that they be fifteen or twenty-five or twenty-one or any other number of years old; it may or may not require a property qualification; it may or may not require an educational qualification; it may include or exclude women as voters; it may draw the line at imbeciles and felons, but it cannot draw the color line. A black citizen must be permitted to vote upon the same conditions as a white one.

Pertinent Questions.

What is meant by a state "repudiating" a debt? What states have done so? What reason did each assign for doing so? Can a city repudiate? A county?

Were amendments XIII., XIV., and XV. constitutionally adopted? [Footnote: See Wright, 284; Andrews, 272; and Pomeroy, 76.]

How was slavery abolished in each of the states? [Footnote: See page 343.] What does the emancipation proclamation say about slavery? Can slavery exist in Alaska? Why?

Are you a citizen of the United States? How may an alien become a citizen? May a person be a citizen of the United States without being a citizen of any state? A citizen of a state without being a citizen of the United States? [Footnote: See Wright, 287.] How does a citizen of the United States become a citizen of a certain state? What are some of the "privileges and immunities" of a citizen of the United States? [Footnote: See Wright, 287.] Can a Chinaman become a citizen? An Indian? Does this section give women the right to vote?

What provision of the constitution is amended by the second clause of the fourteenth amendment? What change is made? How often does the "counting" take place? What is it called? When will the next one occur? Has the penalty mentioned in the second clause ever been inflicted?

Name persons affected by the third clause of the fourteenth amendment. Name persons from whom the disabilities have been removed. How were they removed? Name persons against whom the disabilities still lie. May they vote? What provision of the original constitution is affected by the last sentence of this clause, and how is it modified?

How much money was expended in suppressing the rebellion? How was it raised? How much debt has been paid? How much remains unpaid? Did you ever see a United States bond or note? How much is a confederate bond for $1000 worth? Why? Have any emancipated slaves been paid for by the government?

What is the necessity of the clause commencing, "The congress shall have power?"

What is secured to negroes by the thirteenth amendment? By the fourteenth? By the fifteenth? Name persons who are citizens but cannot vote. Name three eminent colored men.

What clause could be omitted from the constitution without affecting it?