.

In my judgment our sole authority for the acts which we have done during the last four years was the authority communicated to Congress by the Constitution to suppress insurrection.

If the power can only be referred to that clause, in my opinion, speaking I repeat with great deference to the judgment of others, the moment the insurrection was terminated there was no power whatever left in the Congress of the United States over those States; and I am glad to see, if I understand his Message, that in the view I have just expressed I have the concurrence of the President of the United States." Mr.Sumner sustained Mr.Wilson's bill in an elaborate argument delivered on the 20th of December.

There was an obvious desire in both branches of Congress and in both parties--those opposed to the President's policy and those favoring it--to appeal to the popular judgment as promptly as possible, and this led to a prolonged and earnest debate prior to the holidays, an occurrence unusual and almost unprecedented.

Mr.Sumner declared that Mr.Wilson's bill was simply to maintain and carry out the Proclamation of Emancipation.