“_Whereas_ it has become certainly known to the citizens of New York, upon a formal investigation by a Committee of the Senate of the United States, and otherwise, that on the 22d day of May, instant, the Honorable Charles Sumner [_long, loud, and enthusiastic cheers_], Senator from Massachusetts, while in his seat in the Senate Chamber, was violently assaulted with a weapon of attack by Preston S. Brooks [_loud hisses and groans for Brooks_], a member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina, and beaten to insensibility upon the floor of the Senate, which was stained with his blood; that the assailant sought the Senate Chamber to perpetrate this outrage, provided with his weapon and attended by a follower in its aid, and, taking his unarmed victim unawares and in a posture which renders defence impossible, by a heavy blow utterly disabled him, and with cruel repetition inflicted frequent and bloody wounds upon his prostrate, helpless form, with which wounds Senator Sumner now languishes in peril of his life; that the sole reason alleged for this violent outrage was a speech made by Senator Sumner in debate upon a public question then pending in the Senate, no word of which was, during its delivery, made the subject of objection by the President of the Senate or any Senator, and which was concluded on the 20th day of May, instant: Now, at a public meeting of citizens of New York, convened without distinction of party [_applause_], and solely in reference to the public event above recited, it is “_Resolved_, That we sincerely and respectfully tender our sympathy to Senator Sumner in the personal outrage inflicted upon him, and the anguish and peril which he has suffered and still suffers from that outrage, and that we feel and proclaim that his grievance and his wounds are not of private concern [_cheers_], but were received in the public service, and every blow which fell upon his head we recognize and resent as an insult and injury to our honor and dignity as a people, and a vital attack upon the Constitution of the Union. [_Loud cheers and applause._] “_Resolved_, That we discover no trace or trait, either in the meditation, the preparation, or the execution of this outrage by Preston S. Brooks [_loud hisses and groans for Brooks_], which should qualify the condemnation with which we now pronounce it _brutal, murderous, and cowardly_. [_Continued cheers, and cries of ‘Read it again!’ Mr. Evarts repeated the last clause. Voices,--‘Yes, cowardly! that’s the word!--cowardly!’ Another voice,--‘Now let him send another challenge!’_] …