January 12th, Mr. Sumner presented a memorial from citizens of Virginia then in Washington, claiming to represent the loyal people of that State, in which they declare themselves “anxious for the prompt admission of the State to representation upon such terms that a loyal civil government may be maintained and the rights of loyal men secured; which,” they say, “we feel assured cannot be the case, if any condition less than the application of the test oath to the Legislature shall be imposed by the Congress.” As the grounds of this conviction, they point, among other matters, to the continued manifestations of the Rebel spirit in the community,--the ascendency of the Rebel party in the recently elected Legislature, gained, as they insist, “by intimidation, fraud, violence, and prevention of free speech,”--and particularly to the evidences of disloyalty, and of meditated bad faith in regard to the new State Constitution, exhibited in speeches and other utterances of the Governor and Members of Assembly,--utterances, on the part of some of the latter, accompanied with gross contumely of a distinguished Member of Congress from Massachusetts: all of which, the memorialists say, “if a hearing can now be had, and which we respectfully request may be granted, we pledge ourselves to show by sworn witnesses of irreproachable character, residing in Virginia.” The memorial was received with denunciation, as “disrespectful,” “unjust and abusive,” “merely the wailing of those who were defeated,” “originating with the view of keeping out Virginia,” “trifling with our own plighted faith and honor,”--and its presentation criticized with corresponding severity,--the Senators from Nevada leading the assault. Mr. Sumner responded:-- MR. PRESIDENT,--Has it come to this, that the loyal people of Virginia cannot be heard on this floor? that a petition presented by a member of this body, proceeding from them, is to have first the denunciation of the Senator from Nevada on my right [Mr. NYE], and then the denunciation of the Senator from Nevada on my left [Mr. STEWART]? Why are the loyal people of Virginia to be thus exposed? What have they done? Sir, in what respect is that petition open to exception? The Senator says it is disrespectful. To whom? To this body? To the other Chamber? To the President of the United States? To any branch of this Government? Not in the least. It is disrespectful, according to the Senator from Nevada, to the present Governor of Virginia, and he undertakes to state his case.