Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-09-27
The Fugitive Slave LaW-:How it Is Enforced.

w e-Rave COMMENDED that the EugluVe slave Law was
practically worthless and that instead of its ever be-
ing valuable to the South, part of the constitu-
tona law of the land, that it would stand upon the
statute book as adead letter. We frequently re-
ceving public demonstrations of hostility to this law
and recently the blood of two Southern has been
shed upon free soil while endeavorng enforce their
legal right to the possession of their property We
gather the information from the Washington Union of
the 18th inst Here are the particulars gathered
from the Union, and collated by the Montgomery Ad
uertiser.
at appears that Edward Gorsuch and his son,
Dickens Gorsuch, residents of Baltimore county,
accompanied by Nicholas Hutchinson, Joshua Mel
son, DR.. Thomas Pierce, Joshua Gorsuch and
others, went to place called Christiana. in Lam
caster county, Pa to recover some runaway slaves
belonging to Edward Gorsuch, who off year
ago. Upon attempting to enter the house, the ne
groes rushed upon them, armed with muskets, and
prevented the party from entering.
Soon large party of whites and negroes sur
rounded the house. The marshal commanded the
company to assist, but they refused
Gorsuch and friends retired being overcome,
and when retiring were fred on by the negroes
from the windows of the houses, and were also at
tackled by the crowd from the outside. Edward
Gorsuch was shot in the arm and shoulder, and
has since died
He was beaten with clubs after he was shot
Another Mr.. Gorsuch was also MORALLY shot
DR.. Thomas Pierce was shot and badly beaten,
and it is feared will die. The Messrs. Hutchinson
escaped to Philadelphia. Two three of the
negroes were also shot. Such was the violence of
the attack that of the survivors could remain
with the wounded, but escaped as they best
could.
The crowd of blacks and whites numbered about
two hundred. None interfered to save the lives of
the citizens.
Those gentlemen from Baltimore county are
among the most respectable citizens.
Two eStimable citizens of slaveholding State
have thus lost their lives in an attempt to reclaim
property under plain provision of the Constitu
ton of their country"
Comment is unnecessary. Our readers must form
their own conclusions.
Last week gave the decision of Judge Conklin,
on writ of habeas corpus, by which the law of 1850
set aside, and the slave liberated This week we
give another in which the slave captured but
at expense of $500. But the case of murder given
above indicates clearly the feeling of hostility the
law and those who seek its enforcement and we now
remember but parallel instance it also occurred
IN Pennsylvania, at Carlisle, believe and was if
we rightly remember, headed by Professor in lite
rary institution located at that place. A Southern
man fell victim to lawless mob, and we are not
W one was punlsned pdrtlcl
pating The persons arrested for participating in the
riot which resulted in freeing slave in the possession
of the officers at Boston, have been punished
at least, we have no knowledge of it. We regarded
the first trial farce, and have doubt but that
those arrested for participating in this bloody affair at
Christiana, will escape all punishment.
Months ago stated that in most of the free States
the enforcement of this law was an impossibility-|
isolated here and there but resistance and
difficulty was inevitable in every instance. The ex-
pense incident every capture is nearly equal to two
thirds of the value of good negro fellow and very few
willing to incur this certain expense and the con-
sequent risk for runaway
In this view of the case we are more thoroughly
confirmed than when we made the above statement,
and now that experience is ustying opinions, we
will hazard a remark upon another point.
Our Union friends contend that if the President fails
to enforce the law that they for DESTROYING this
government. We shall not stop to show how much of
insncerty and demagogusm there is in this but will
say that Union friends deserve but little credit for
their assumed zeal in the premises. The President
really possesses but inefficient power to enforce any
national law within the limits of State the feelings
and sentiments of whose people, are hostile to its Just
andimpartial execution. Mr.. Fillmore in letter to
the Hon. Francis Brney, of Boston, June last says
SLAVERY in any form repugnant to your feelings and
education, and the fugitive naturally and inevitably er-
cites your deepest sympathies."
This is high authority, but it is it is high
This shows that the President act but Inefficient
y in the enforcement of law violating the feelings
and sympathies of the people, for, in every instance
in which aid is required it must be extended not from
any desire to the law enforced but because PEN
atty may be incurred by failing to respond to the de-
mands of the law. Thus them see that the Presi-
dent is required to do than the feelings and sym
pathes of the people of one section inclined to toll
crate, less than the law demands to protect the
rights the of people of another section. Without in
tending to reflect on the character of the President
pathes are with the fugitive from slavery" and that
he too, detests the institution. But why hold the
President responsible for the non-executon of this
law 1t would be more consistent hold those States
responsible who by legislation have rendered the law
of 1893 dead letter. and which actually destroys the
efficiency of the act ofls5o by rendering the recla
nation very expensive pecuniary, and hazardous to
life. 1t is not fair safe to make the preservation of
this Union depend upon tenure slight as the nom
enforcement of law, which the President admits
violates the feelings and sympahes of the People,"
The States owe obedience to the constitution, and
cannot rghtully, disregard the laws enacted in pur
suance to its requirements. The Fugitive Slave law
was passed in pursuance to the requirements of that
instrument, and no State legislation can, therefore,