Mr. SUMNER., Mr. President, every step we have taken in this discussion shows its im. portance, its magnitude. It is important as a precedent; but I submit that it becomes of transcendent importance when we consider its bearing upon our duties to the rebel States. It is on that account that I do not sympathize with my friend before me [Mr. WADE) when he seeks to press this to so swift a conclusion. There are Senators here who are now anxious to speak upon it. There is the Senfrom Vermont, [Mr. EDMUNDs, who never speaks without engaging the attention of the Senate and saying what we are all glad to listen to. There are other Senators here who, unless I have been misinformed, are anxious to be heard upon this great question; and yet the Senfrom Ohio insists that we shall stay here to vote while those Senators are prac tically silenced. He knows very well that at this late hour they will not undertake to speak. When therefore he presses his vote, it is to press them to be silent. Now, sir, I cannot sympathize with that. I think that the time has come for the adjournment today. Let us go home and consider the new form which this proposition assumes, consider the criticism which is made by the Senfrom from Indiana, [Mr. HENDR1cks] That certainly is entitled to much weight. I do not say, however, that it is entirely correct; but I do say that before we embark in favor of this proposition and commit the for tunes of the Republic to it, we ought to consider its character. We ought to consider whether in all respects it is sea worthy, whether it can carry us safely over the great sea which we are to traverse. Let us therefore consider it carefully and let Senators who desire to speak upon it be heard. Do not let them be silenced by what I would almost call a snap judgment. This question, sir, has not been considered in this &o. according to its dignity. It has not been debated enough. Senators do not yet see its importance; its grandeur, and how essential its right settlement is to the peace, security, and welfare of this Republic. If you go wrong on this question, sir, you do more than you can do in any other way to shut the tes of peace on this Republic. I say, there ore, for the sake of the Republic and that we may bring about a settlement of the great question before us, let us carefully now consider the form which the proposition shall assume on which we are to vote. In that view, sir, I move that the Senate do now adjourn.