Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-09-20
Fugitive Slave Riot In 1ennsylva-
min

Dispatches have been received by some O.
the city papers to the effect that in attempting
to arrest a fugitive slave in Lancaster county
Pa, the owner-a gentleman named GoRsUcE
and his son, were killed. We find the fol-
lowing particulars in the despatch to the Plea.
yun
"A few days ago, Edward Gorsuch and son,
of Baltimore county, Nd, went to Lancaster
county, Pa, in pursuit of a fugitive slave.
They discovered the slave al a place called
Christiana, near Lancaster. The negro was
secreted in a house, into which Gorsuch and his
party entered, when the negro cleared up stairs
and armed with a musket prevented the party
from ascending to them. He blew a horn and
was Immediately reinforced by about two hun
dred negroes and whites, who surrounded the
house. The marshal called upon the whites
to assist him in enforcing the law, but they re-
fused. The negroes fred upon their pursuers.
Gorsuch and son were instantly, and it is sup.
posed, MORALLY wounded. Three negroes
were also wounded, bnt the negroes and their
associates remained uncaptured. Gorsuch and
his son were most respectable citizens. Great
excitement prevails. 1t is supposed that the
Government must interfere.
Gorsuch and his son, who were attacked BY
armed negroes in Lancaster county, Pa, were
both killed. Two officers were seriously
wounded. The murderers have escaped
Upon the above the Bee makes some very
pertinent remarks, from which we take the fol.
lowing:
"This is the first case in which the laws of
the United States have been resisted even un-
to the shedding of blood; and it mas occurred
in a Commonwealth which boasts its reverence
for the authority, its respect for the Constitu-
ton and the enactments made in pursuance
thereof. What was not dared in bigotted Mas
sachusetts, what western New York shrunk
from attempting, what %fanatical Ohio burst not
essay, has been accomplished in Pennsvlva-
MIA, within fifty miles of the law-abiding and
peace-professing citizens Of Philadelphia. This
last act of ~atrocity crowns the stupendous in
fanny of Abolitionism. 1t had previously been
disgraced by its hypocrisy, its utter contempt
OF the restraints of law, its horrible and bias
p~hemous infdelity, its regularly concerted
plans for stealing Southern property, its reck-
less efforts 70 stir up Instruction in the slave
States. Now it has capped the climax of wick
edness by WIltul and deliberate murder. X X X
The speedy, certain and severe punishment of
this Infamous gang that aided and abetted in
the consummation of this fatal outrage, is the |
least that the South can demand. We
repose the most implicit and entire confidence,
as well in the patriotism and frmness of the
Government, as in its ability to execute the
law. We believe, too, that such 4 desperate
deed will arouse every honest and good man
at the North to the imperative necessity of
crushing abolition at once. The reaction will
be terrible for that misguided and f1agitious
faction. They have now passed the Rubicon
they have shed blood, trampled upon the
law, fiouted its servants, and scorned the au-
of the land. No halfway measures
should hereafter be taken with this iniquitous
crew. Let the Administration act promptly
and decisiyely, as we know it will act. Let it
make an example of the ringleaders, and we
shall soon hear no more of resistance to the
Fugitive Slave law. Matters have now reach
I'd a crisis, when abolitionism must be put
Town at all hazards,