If the rule is not justly within our reach, pray, Sir, why are we asked to vote on a bill concerning the competency of witnesses, and with a section expressly regulating the whole subject? Sir, I should feel untrue to myself, untrue to the principles I have at heart, and to the people I have the honor to represent, if I allowed a bill like this, with such a title, with such an object, to pass without earnest endeavor to exclude from it all support of the vileness which seeks shelter under its words. Within a few days the Senator has voted for a bill to punish the fraudulent counterfeiting of postage stamps; but suppose the counterfeiter does his work in the presence of colored persons and nobody else, where, under the proposed rule, will the Senator find the evidence required to carry the law into effect? As long as Congress undertakes to legislate criminally, as long as it has courts with a national jurisdiction in the Slave States, it is due to itself, and it is due to justice, that it should furnish the evidence by which such legislation may be made effective, and justice be administered, without a constant act of shame calculated to bring a blush upon the cheeks. I speak plainly, as is my habit, and perhaps with feeling, but I trust that I have said nothing that I ought not to say. The amendment was rejected,--Yeas 14, Nays 23. The next volume will show how this effort of Mr. Sumner at last prevailed. PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND RECONSTRUCTION. REMARKS IN THE SENATE, ON A BILL TO ESTABLISH PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENTS IN CERTAIN CASES, JULY 7, 1862. This was reported from the Judiciary Committee, by Mr. Harris, of New York, with certain amendments, one of which recognized “the laws and _institutions_” in a State before the Rebellion. On the latter amendment Mr. Sumner remarked:-- MR. PRESIDENT,--I cannot consent to the amendment. Plainly it is going too far. A government organized by Congress and appointed by the President is to enforce laws and institutions, some of which are abhorrent to civilization. Take, for instance, the Revised Code of North Carolina, which I have before me. Here is a provision which the Governor, under this Act, must enforce. I say must enforce. The amendment is, that there shall be “no interference with the laws and institutions existing in such State at the time its authorities assumed to array the same against the Government of the United States.” Therefore they must be enforced. And now, if you please, listen to one of them.