If the decision was harsh, he said, no one was justified in attributing it to the personal feelings or desires of the Chief Justice.

It was the law he was expounding, and he did it ably and conscientiously.
Mr.Sumner concluded the debate by a reply to Reverdy Johnson.

He said that, in listening to the senator from Maryland, he was "reminded of a character, known to the Roman Church, who always figures at the canonization of a saint as the _Devil's advocate_." He added that, if he could help it, "Taney should never be recognized as a saint by any vote of Congress." The incidents of the debate and the names of the participants are given as affording a good illustration of the tone and temper of the times.

It was made evident that the opponents of the bill, under Mr.Sumner's lead, would not permit it to come to a vote.

It was therefore abandoned on the 23d of February, 1865.
HONORS TO TWO CHIEF JUSTICES.
Nine years after these proceedings, in January, 1874, the name of another Chief Justice, who had died during the recess, came before Congress for honor and commemoration.