Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-10-09

outrage perpetrated, well as to unvei the aga
tor and dema gogue Who after having encouraged the
Abotionists by his example, refused sustain the law
of the land while falsely protesting his anxiety
that it might be respected, and insuted the victims of
a shameful treason, by his inhuman Indifference. We
have never read more whitening or more unanswera-
bic production, and commend it to all parties
eminently deserving their careful and deliberate peru
| sal.
wAsH1reroN, Sept 1s, 1851.
Hon. Wm. F. Johnston, Governor Of Pennsylvania:
| The undersigned, a son of the late Edward Gorsuch
| the victim Of Aboltonst enthusiasm and highhanded
rebellion, is sorry that painful duty is imposed upon
| him that TO which he now addresses himself. He
writes YOU sir, with vindictive lec1e4 but only
to assure YOU what he desires every know that
he thinks the lack of official promptness your part
has resulted in the escape, hitherto of the slaves and
some OF the principal murderers OF his father Ii would
have tended IN degree TO relieve the anxiety OF the
family and friends OF the deceased have known that
the Governor of the State in which this lonl murder
committed, had acted promptly and efficiently the
circumstance demanded.
| know that you passed within few yards Of where
the body of my father lay, the afternoon of the same
day on which he was murdered. The cars stopped at
the door of the house. Some oil the passengers went
| in to look at the ghastly spectacle But sir YOU did
not. You who ought, because of your responsible
ton, have been most interested, showed the least
concern. And this is to be wondered at IL would
natural that then you should have been rejoicing
this the first fruits of yonr official and personal hostility
to the rendition of fugitive slaves. Did not know
what you have done to render imperative the law under
his property, in a strictly legal, some excuse
might be found in minds for your strange inactivity
But we knew your We had watched il with
pain and did expect you would be induced to
change it this extraordinary crisis. Ss< -
Allow me to call you attention fact which, per-
haps, You will remember Those slaves, for whom ms
] father searching, to be free at the age of
twenty-eight. They detected in selling stolen
wheat to a free negro Before the writ which got
against him could be served he escaped to Penn
! sylvania This brother Of mine, to death,
fna
Maryland for that free negro, " Abe Johnson But
you would deliver him up and my brother home
convinced that further effort in that respect
necessary. That Abe Johnson" it is said, was pres
ent among the rebels on last Thursday morning.
have read some letters which you wrote to some
gentlemen of Philadelphia who urging you to ac,
ton marked the strong contrast between your words
and actions Now sir. if you anxious vind.
the honor of your State proud have these of
lenders arrested. Why did You initiate the noble ex.
ample Of the Executive OF the United States? Why did
not Issue your proclamation you reached
Philadelphia IL it ought TO have been done all were
there not stronger to have it done the first
day, when the murderers were at hand, that the
MN, when most OF them had escaped! You cannot
plead ignorance OF the riot for il well known you
You will pretend say that il more necessary
when several prominent actors in that tragedy
rested and the whole neghborhood secured by vigorous
young gentlemen from Maryland By host of your own
citizens and United States military than when every
that desired the punishment Of these murderers and trait
ors was afraid to move when the roters-st wet with
ing IN their victory and their conledcrates congratua
ngthemseves upon successful treasonl Why sir did
you not show your promptness then? You applaud
the decision, energy and promptness of the Lancaster
county officers, and in this most heartily concur; but
in proportion you praise them, you condemn yourself
You knew OF the insunectonary movement before they
did. If they had waited, you did, until The fifth day,
to do what ought to have been done the first you
could not have applauded them You must, therefore,
sir, be self condemned
DO you know that thirtysx hours passed before one
writ was taken out against these men2 Do YOU know
thatjMr. Thompson the States Attorney and Mr. Rel.
CART TO protect their lives and quel the spirit Of
resistance which fortified the traitors and terrified the
loyal had to collect posse of from iron works and
diggngs on the railroad? Do you know that not mag
strate constable would until compelled that the
sheriff refused to act that your Attorney General
10 his superior, would aid these men whose activity
you now zealousy commended, sd
With these facts, sir before us we cannot be CHARGED
with caumny in saying that do honestly believe that
your proclamation would have seen the light had
You not feared that the activity Of others would censre
your indifference. w .,.r ~.
We believe that the majority Of Pennsylvanans are
right. We have been pleased the zeal and gratiied
with the sympathies of many have met But sir.
il the laws shall be sustained il the country shall
be satisfied that Pennsylvania is right il the South to
lind that this law will not be necient be assured that
rot one particle Of the honor will be given the Gov
ernor We will not say that he has acted fratorously
hat by his previous he has been the indirect
,ason OF this outrage; that the blood OF Edward Gorsch
on his skirR but we must say that he has not been
clear in his great Office" but recreant TO the i'm
POSED in him. ~
Much more in sorrow than in anger subscribe INV.
elf your much injured friend :
j. s. GoRsUCH. u