At the opening of the next Congress, March 9, 1871, Mr. Sumner again brought forward the same bill, which was read the first and second times, by unanimous consent, and on his motion ordered to lie on the table and be printed. In making this motion he said that the bill had been reported adversely twice by the Committee on the Judiciary; that, therefore, he did not think it advisable to ask its reference again; that nothing more important could be submitted to the Senate, and that it should be acted on before any adjournment of Congress. In reply to an inquiry from Mr. Hamlin, of Maine, Mr. Sumner proceeded to explain the bill, which he insisted was in conformity with the Declaration of Independence, and with the National Constitution, neither of which knows anything of the word “white.” Then, announcing that he should do what he could to press the bill to a vote, he said: “Senators may vote it down. They may take that responsibility; but I shall take mine, God willing.” At this session a resolution was adopted limiting legislation to certain enumerated subjects, among which the Supplementary Civil Rights bill was not named. March 17th, while the resolution was under discussion, Mr. Sumner warmly protested against it, and insisted that nothing should be done to prevent the consideration of his bill, which he explained at length. In reply to the objection that the session was to be short, and that there was no time, he said: “Make the time, then; extend the session; do not limit it so as to prevent action on a measure of such vast importance.” An amendment moved by Mr. Sumner to add this bill to the enumerated subjects was rejected. The session closed without action upon it. * * * * * At the opening of the next session, Mr. Sumner renewed his efforts. December 7, 1871, in presenting a petition from colored citizens of Albany, he remarked: “It seems to me the Senate cannot do better than proceed at once to the consideration of the supplementary bill now on our Calendar, to carry out the prayer of these petitioners”; and he wished Congress might be inspired to “make a Christmas present to their colored fellow-citizens of the rights secured by that bill.” December 20th, the Senate having under consideration a bill, which had already passed the House, “for the removal of the legal and political disabilities imposed by the third section of the Fourteenth Article of Amendment to the Constitution of the United States,” Mr. Sumner, insisting upon justice before generosity, moved his Supplementary Civil Rights Bill as an amendment. A colloquy took place between himself and Mr. Hill, of Georgia, in which the latter opposed the amendment.