“You have ever been in the foremost rank in guarding and defending the rights of the colored people of this country with a sacred jealousy. I hail with inexpressible joy your manly, bold, and intelligent avowal of their civil and political rights, on the opening of the session of Congress. I feel assured that they will be opposed, and strongly opposed; but God grant to you, and the other fearless champions of Freedom’s cause, strength and ability to successfully defeat all opposition!” Hon. Theophilus Parsons, the learned Law Professor and law writer, wrote from Cambridge:-- “Congress has hard work before it,--about as hard as Grant had to take Richmond; but I suppose it will be done somehow.” Hon. Charles W. Upham, a scholar and writer, formerly Representative in Congress from the Essex District in Massachusetts, wrote from Salem:-- “Stick to the noble ground you have taken, and let reason and events put the President in harmony with you and the people.” With such voices from the people the great work of the session began. The bad spirit which belonged to the days of Slavery seemed also to return. The following, to Mr. Sumner from ----, dated “Paymaster General’s Office, Washington, December 11, 1865,” recalled other days. “I conceive it to be my duty to impart the following information, in which you may be interested. “Calling your name yesterday, in conversation with a citizen of this city, he casually remarked that you would probably be killed before the expiration of this session,--that two or three were sworn against you. “I paid no apparent attention to the remark at the time, nor asked any question with regard to it; but, if I can serve you in the matter any further, I am at your command.” Mr. Sumner did not notice this letter, or follow it with any inquiry. He was accustomed to such reports. COLORED SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. BILL IN THE SENATE, DECEMBER 4, 1865. A Bill to carry out the principles of a Republican form of Government in the District of Columbia. _Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled_, That no person, in other respects qualified to vote within the District of Columbia, shall be excluded from that right by reason of race or color.