Now, Sir, what are the operative words of this remarkable speech? That this very Governor Walker, who finds a vindicator--I may say, adopting a term of the early law, a compurgator--in the Senator from Illinois, announces that by this recent election Virginia has “declared against vandalism, fraud, and treachery,--has freed herself from the tyranny of a horde of greedy cormorants and unprincipled carpet-baggers, who came to sap her very vitals.” Such is the language by which this Governor characterizes loyal people from the North, from the West, from all parts of the country, who since the overthrow of the Rebellion have gone there with their household gods, with their energies, with their character, with their means, to contribute to the resources of the State! Sir, what does all this suggest? To my mind unhappy days in the future; to my mind anything but justice for the devoted loyal people and Unionists of that State. And now, Sir, while I make this plea for them, again let me say I present no exclusive claim to represent them; I speak now only because others do not speak; and as in other days when I encountered the opposition of the Senator from Illinois I was often in a small minority, sometimes almost alone, I may be so now; but I have a complete conviction that the course I am now taking will be justified by the future. Sad enough, if it be so! I hope it may be otherwise. Mr. Drake’s amendment was rejected. Another, thereupon offered by Mr. Edmunds, of Vermont, and as subsequently amended, requiring members of the Legislature before taking or resuming their seats, and State officers before entering upon office, to make oath to past loyalty or removal of disabilities, was adopted. Other provisions, against exclusion from civil rights on account of race or color, either by future amendments of the existing State Constitution or by rescinding the State’s ratification of any amendment to the National Constitution, were moved as “fundamental conditions” of admission. In an argument, January 14th, maintaining the validity of such conditions, the pending question being on a provision of this character offered by Mr. Drake, Mr. Sumner spoke as follows:-- MR. PRESIDENT,--Something has been said of the term by which this proposition should be designated. One will not call it “compact,” finding in this term much danger, but at the same time he refuses to the unhappy people in Virginia now looking to us for protection such safeguard as may be found in this proposition. For myself, Sir, I make no question of terms. Call it one thing or another, it is the same, for it has in it protection. Call it a compact, I accept it. Call it a law, I accept it. Call it a condition, I accept it. It is all three,--condition, law, compact,--and, as all three, binding. The old law-books speak of a triple cord. Here you have it.