January 21st, the long debate terminated with an arraignment by Mr. Trumbull of Mr. Sumner’s course in reference not only to the pending bill, but to former measures of Reconstruction, and an answer of similar scope by Mr. Sumner, concluding with regard to Virginia[201] as follows:-- The next count in the Senator’s indictment was, that I had called the late election in Virginia a fraud; and how did he encounter this truthful allegation? He proceeded to show that General Canby designated only five counties in which there were cases of fraud. Is that an answer to my entirely different allegation? Does the Senator misunderstand me, or is it an unintentional change of issue? My statement was entirely different from that which he attributes to me. I made no allegation of frauds in different counties, be they few or many. I said that the election in the whole State was carried by a conspiracy reaching from one end of the State to the other, of which the candidate for Governor was the head, to obtain the control of the State, and by this means take the loyalists away from the protecting arms of Congress. That was my allegation. Is that met by saying to me that I do not adduce evidence of fraud in districts, or that there were only five districts with regard to which we have such evidence? How do I know, that, if you should go into an inquiry, you might not find that very evidence with regard to all the districts? The Senator sets his face against inquiry, as we all know. But I did not intend to open this question. My object was entirely different: it was to show that from beginning to end the whole canvass was a gigantic fraud; that Walker by a fraudulent conspiracy imposed himself upon the State; that by appeals to the Rebels he obtained their votes and thus installed himself in power, with the understanding that when once installed he should administer the State in their interest. Then, Sir, farewell the equal rights of all! farewell an equal judiciary, which is the Palladium of just government! farewell trial by jury! farewell suffrage for all! farewell that system of public schools which is essential to the welfare of the community!--all sacrificed to this conspiracy. Such, Sir, is my allegation; and it was in making this allegation I challenged reply. I challenge it now. When I first made it, I looked about the Senate, I looked at those who are most strenuous for this sacrifice, and none answered. None can answer. The evidence is before the Senate in the speeches of the Governor and in the election.