New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-31
RRsOLUTIONs, Ae.

The vital necessity OF preserving unimPaired
Freedom Of Discussion in our National Legislature.
the Equal Rights of the several States therein.
and the inviolabiliy of their Representatives for
"sny Speech or Debate in either House, ~
guaranteed BY the Constitution of the United
"States," literally filled the odd Tabernacle to
overhowing last night. The recent assault upon
these principles in the person Of Senator Of the
Commonwealth Of Massachusetts, by o Repre-
sentative Of the State Of South Carolina upon the
floor Of the United States Senate, was the i'm
mediate impulse to the call for the meeting
1t wss not BY the ultra men Of any party that
this demonstration originated. "Fsnaticism
had no voice in its inception, nor may any political
party claim special merit in its proceedings or i's
influence. 1t originated among the moderate men-
the conservative merchants, manufacturers, mil
lonaires and mechanics Of this metropolis Men
who have for many years held aloof from all public
movements save those of charitable philsnthro pic
character, forward last night spontaneously to
rebuke the late unparalleled outrage upon consttu-
tonal freedom of speech. Although the call for the
meeting made but one day before the time
appointed for to take place, the grievance had sunk
too deep in the public mind to need longer nothca
ton So general was the Indignation, and so hot the
desire TO give it uttersnce, that at CD p IN, on the
opening of the doors of the Tabernacle, the people
began TO flock into it in crowds and before the hour
announced for the meeting every seat and standing
place in the building filled to their utmost
capacity. Never before did that old building
present 50 remarkable 50 imposing a spectacle.
Not less than 5000 persons were present; while
xpbn mai oht al
mission, held a mass meeting outside. From floor
to rafters, all around, before, behind, above,
below ON every side, rose pile on pile of human
faces - earnest, intelligent, eloquent, indignant
faces-from the base Of the crowded platform, row
after row, until the topmost circle touched the very
ceiling This was no gathering Of political brawlers,
no assemblsge of demagogues seeking place or prefer
ment 1t was composed Of the flower Of the city. The
grandsires of thIeescore years and ten ne. with the
young men Of this eneraton to express the common
sentiments of their common humanity. The leading
men Of New-York, of every honorable walk in life,
lent their presence to swell the common reprobaon
Of this arocious wrong. Throughout the meeting the
appreciation and dsapprobation of the audience were
manifested in the most marked manner.
Al half-past seven o'clock JoHS A. STEVENS Presi-
dent of the IaDk Of Commerce, came upon the plat
form. and was received with loud and prolonged ap-
plause He said:
FELLOW CrrIzEss-I have the honor to nominate
as President Of this meeting
GEORGE GRISwOLD.
This nomination was greeted with UNANIMOUS ap
prevail which was expressed by loud and long
tinued scclamations, renewed agsv and again upon
Mr.. Griswold taking his seat.
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT next came forward anu
stood silent for some minutes, unable to make hih'e
heard by reason Of the DESIGNING cheers tina, rose
his appearance. At length he ootained nearing,
and nominated the following gentlemen as additional
officers Of the meeting. Every name on the lis, was
erected with "three times three;" and when the
President put the quest m, Do you approve Of the
"qent,emeu nominated as officers OF the NEE ing y
responsive "Aye" rang out in thunder tones, that
told tho deem seated sentiments Of the audience: