Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-09-20
THE CuR,sT,aNA TRAGEDY.

tation or property to lose, and consequently
no interests at stake, are constantly striving
to agitate the questions of slavery and abo-
li,ionism, in the vain hope Of inAaming the
minds of the people of The North against
the South, and of adding few more mis-
cradle converts TO the Infamous doctrines
OF the ''higher law" party. One of the
favorlte themes of these agitators is a de.
termined and unqualified opposition to the
Fugitive Slave law, and there are some
persons to be found In our lower counties
we rejoice that we have none of them
here-who strenuously advocate an open
ard torcible resistance TO its execution.
with an earnesnesS and zeal that shew
their determination to persevere, regardless
of consequences, and with rashness that
argues the existence of an intellect both
wicked and depraved, or heart most fear
fully bent on mischief
lfthey alone were TO be responsible for
the consequences of their acts, and 'sow-
ing the wind" could be compelled to "reap
the whirlwind," without dragging the in
nocent and unsuspectng victims Of their
deception down with them, but little un-
easness would be felt, and they would en-
cite no other feelings than those of con-
tempt. But in this, unfortunately, as in
too many cases of infractions of the law,
the deluded "catspaw" is made to suffer the
penalty, while the more crafty and far
more guilty protector OF the plot escapes
unwhpped of justice.
The murderous affair at ChriStiana Lam
caster county, which took place on Thurs
day the ] lth inst, seems, from the best in
formation we can gather, to be almost en-
tireI y attributable to the unjustifabe inter-
ference OF these self styled philanthIopsts,
who would involve this nation in civil
war, trample upon the Constitution, and
dissolve this Union, rather than yield a
pitiiul theory which their morbid fancy has
set up as the law, higher than that which is
written.
1t is most sincerely 10 be hoped that no
effort will be spared, no means left untried,
to ferret out the guilty advisers and abet-
tors Of this most deplorable affair, and that
whenever they are found, no sickiy sym
pathy will be excited to prevent them from
being brought TO that punishment which
they so richly merit. The holiest feelings
Of patriotism and the most sacred claims OF
justice alike demand it.
We CLEAN the following facts from our
Philadelphia exchanges:
Mr. Gorsuch, the owner of two fugitive
slaves from Baltimore county. accompanied
by his two sons, the Deputy United States
Marshall, from Baltimore, two officers from
Philadelphia, proceeded on "Wednesday
, evening, TO Chrstana, about q miles below
Lancaster for The purpose of arresting the
tuglives.
After consultation between the officers,
Il was deemed ineXpedlent 10 make the ar
rest until Thursday morning From the
best reports, we learn, that the colored pop
of the nature Of the visit OF the officers 10
Lhrisliana, held meeting and asked the
opinlLn OF several leading Aboltioniss as Ia
what course they should pursue.
The answer was, as one of the most cur.
rent reports states, that they should stand
their ground. Accordingly, about eighty
negroes assembled ana with guns &c, Sc
creted themselves in the nei"hboring woods
and corn fields. The signal of attack on the
officers was the blowing of horn.
When the officers came upon the party,
they were surrounded Oh all sides, and a
deadly fire poured upon them by The ne
groes At the first fire, the owner of the
fugitive slaves an elderly gentleman, was
Instantly killed and one of his sons m0rtally
wounded. Another Of the party, said to be
a United States deputy officer from Bali-
more, was also much hurt.
A Philadelphia officer was fred at five
times and missed. He was in the midst OF
the fight at the time.
The information 10 The fugitive slaves that
their master and the officers were after
them, is believed to have been given by
two negroes from Philadel phia, vino dogged
the pursuing party to Chrisliana.
In addition TO what is already known oil
this affair, which occurred on THU sday, we
: ! icdlH tuit tHt sCele VI lUe IuuINeTOus IlOl
was in the vicinity Of Chrislana, in Lancas-
ter county, near the borders Of Chester
The persons killed were Mr. Edward Cor
such, an Old gentleman who resided about
nineteen miles from Baltimore, Md, and his
son, Dickinson, young man. The father
was shot dead by one o: the fugitive slaves
r OF whom he was The owner. The son was
mortaIfy wounded in the bloody atIray and
survived but short time. The slave who
; shot his master was himself wounded in the
LETT arm. lie is described in a despatch lo
Police Marshal Keyser, as a tall slim mulat.
! 10 fellow with fall round face, and good
ing.
The assailng party was BEADED by an old
negro preacher. When he saw the fallen
, bodies Of Mr.. Gorsuch aud son he rushed
forward with his arms extended, saying
"Forbear, men, forbear You'll all be
hung They are dead !"
There is no great excitement in the viciu-
iiy of The scene Of The murder. No one has
taken ans interest in The horrid occurrence
We must add that Mr.. Gorsuch The elder
was not only hlulally murdered, but robbed
by the blacks after he was dead, Of 500 in