What we do to-day is not alone for ourselves, not alone for that African race now lifted up. It is for all everywhere who suffer from tyranny and wrong,--for all everywhere who bend beneath the yoke,--for all everywhere who feel the blight of unjust power; it is for all mankind; it is for God Himself, whose sublime Fatherhood we most truly confess when we recognize the Brotherhood of Man. A motion by Mr. Stockton, of New Jersey, to refer the credentials of Mr. Revels to the Committee on the Judiciary was, after a debate of three days, defeated by a vote of 8 Yeas to 48 Nays; and on motion of Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, Mr. Revels was thereupon, by the corresponding vote of Yeas 48, Nays 8, admitted to a seat. CONSIDERATION OF TREATIES IN OPEN SENATE. REMARKS IN THE SENATE, MARCH 17, 1870. On a resolution submitted by Mr. Ferry, of Connecticut, providing that “any treaty for the annexation to the United States of the entire dominion of any foreign power shall be considered and the question of its ratification decided in open session of the Senate,” Mr. Sumner said:-- From the beginning I have always held that the Senate erred in the establishment of secrecy, particularly with reference to treaties. I think the first year that I had the honor of a seat in the Senate the question of a change of our rule in that regard was presented, and I voted in its favor. I have seen nothing from that day to this to change my judgment upon that particular point materially. I think that the rule of secrecy was a traditional policy which we derived from the diplomatic usages of the Old World. We came to it naturally, and it has continued with us down to this day. Now, personally, I incline to change it; but I have two suggestions to present, applicable to the pending question. The first is, whether it is advisable to change it while it is known that an important treaty is actually pending; whether the change, if such change should be adopted by the Senate, should not be applicable to the future rather than to any pending question. I merely present that, without undertaking to determine it. The other point is, whether a change so important, not to say so radical, whatever may be the judgment of individual Senators, like the Senator from Connecticut, or like myself, should not be referred to the committee having charge of such questions. I would therefore suggest that the proposition be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. That committee will meet next Tuesday, and I have no doubt will take it at once into consideration. The resolution was referred accordingly, and, upon the report of the Committee, was indefinitely postponed. ELIGIBILITY TO THE SENATE: QUESTION OF INHABITANCY. REMARKS IN THE SENATE, ON THE ADMISSION OF GENERAL ADELBERT AMES AS A SENATOR OF MISSISSIPPI, APRIL 1, 1870.