The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-16
aw. and 70 large extent arrested the perpelralon

law, and to large extent arrested the perpetrators
Of the crimes.
! The cruel murder Of citizen Of neighboring
State, accompanied by gross outrageon the laws
the United States in the resistance of its process
had been committed; and you may be assured that
SO soon as the guilty agents ascertained they
will be punished in it's severest penalty by the law
of Pennsylvania. ! am very proud that the first
steps TO detect and arrest these offenders have been
taken by Pennsylvania officers.
Permit me, gentlemen, having thus removed all
just cause of anxiety from your minds, respectfully
to suggest that the idea of rebellion, insurrec-
tionary movement in the county of Lancaster, or
anywhere else in this Commonwealth, has no real
foundation, and is an offensive imputaton on q
large body Of our fellow citizens There is no
insurrectionary movement in Lancaster county,
and there would be occasion to march military
force there, you seem to DESIRE and infiame the
public mind by any such strange sxaggeration. !
do not wish brethren of the Union to think that
in any part of this State resistance TO the law goes
undetected or unpublished, that there exists such
a sentiment as treason TO the Union and the Con-
stituton. The alleged murderers of Mr.. Gorsuch,
whose come is deep enough without exaggerating
it, have Been arrested and will be tried, and they
and their abettors be made 10 for what they
have done in contravention of the law. But, in the
mean time, let me invite your cooperation as cit
liens of Pennsylvania, not only to that the law
is enforced, but to add to the confidence which we
all feel in the judicial tribunals of the land by abb
staining from undue violence of language, and
letting the law take its course. Depend upon it,
gentlemen, there lie in Lancaster county sense Of
duty 10 the laws of the land, manifested in the
easy and prompt arrest of these offenders, which
will on all occasions show itself in practical ODE
dienoe.
The people of that county men of peace and
good order, and not easily led aside from the path
Of duty which the Constitution prescribes. They
and every Pennsylvania love the Constitution and
the Union. They will detect, az they have done
in this case, and arrest and punish all who violate
the laws of the land There is no warrant de-
pend upon it, for representing the men of Lancas-
ter county as traitors and participants in Sin
surrectionary movement" You do them, unin-
tentionally have doubt, great injustice.
am deeply indebted to you for affording me
this opportunity OF expressing my views But for
your communication might not have been able to
do so. You, and my fellow. citizens at large, may
be assured ofmy firm determination, at all hazards
and under all circumstances, to maintain the su-
premacy of the Constitution, and enforce obedi-
to the laws alike of the United States and of
this Commonwealth.
In order that may be sure that my answer may
reach it's destination, (your letter having but acct
dentally come to my hands,) have requested Mr.
White to put it in the hands of Mr.. John Cadwala-
der, whose signature, observe, is first
am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
VIM. F. JOHNSTON.