The southern press., 1852-01-15
tlarsland and Fenn.fI,anIa.

i In his message to the Legislature, Gov. Lows
thus refers to the result of the Christians cases.
II will be seen that, justly indignant at this
i mockery Of justice, the governor calls on the
Legislature to yindicate the outraged honor OF
the State.
n On the 18th day Of September last Mr.. Ed
ward Gorsuch, highly respectable citizen OF
Baltimore county, accompanied by several friends
and relatives, and deputy marshal of the U.
States, went into the county of Lancaster, in
the State of Pennsylvania, for the purpose of
recapturing four fugitive slaves, under the pro-
cess, provided by the act of Congress, commonly
known as the fugitive slave law. Information
had been, it appears, previously communicated
to the people of that neighborhood, of the APP
proach and intentions of the marshal and his
party. Shortly after their arrival, they were
surrounded by armed bands of negroes, (num-
], bering about one hundred and ifty,) who had
been called together by a preconcerted signal.
II Three white Abolitionists were present, giving
open counteuanee and encouragement to the
mob. Finding that it was useless to attempt an
arrest of the fngitives, the marshal was already
10 the act of retreating, and had called upon his
companions to follow him, when, with fierce
yells and excavations, the infuriated rebels made
! an onslaught upon their peaceable and nnresist
ing victims. Mr. Edward Gorsuch, the aged
and venerable father, was killed, and his dead
body was brutally insulted.; whilst the son was
left upon the field, as dead When the news of
this atrocous butchery and rebellion against the
laws of the land reached Maryland, the people,
and especially the community of which Mr. Cor
such was cherished member, manifested a
great and very natural degree of excitement
Private letters, and the resolutions of public
meetings poured in upon me, calling for my
executive interposition with the federal author
tiles My duty would have been apparent, in
i the absence of any appeal. Immediately adj
dressed to the President of the United States
such communication, as the magnitude Of the
occasion seemed to demand. His Excellency,
through the Department of State, took an early
4 opportunity to assure me Of his deep abhor-
renee of the crime committed, and of his
! determination to exert the energies of the law
to bring the offenders to justice, and to pre-
vent similar occurrences in future. Copies Of
this correspondence are herewith transmitted.
Without designing to EXHIBIT the least want Of
confidence in the will and power of the officers
Of the general government to make good the
assurances given by the President, determined,
nevertheless, that Maryland should not be an
idle spectator of such proceedings as might be
instituted by the federal authorities. The blood
of Marylander cried out from the earth; whilst,
the genius of this Union called aloud for a
vindication of outraged laws, upon the faithful
observance of which alone it can rest. | antici-
pated, and it soon became apparent, that the
flame of excitement would spread from the hills
of Maryland to the Savannahs of the extreme
South, until every Southern State would
unite in one common feeling of horror and in
dignation. To see justice done, and to guard
H.
main objects of my solicitude. Experience has
shown to every man, that the guilty may occa-
sionaliy escape justice, without chlpable design
or neglect on the part of its administrators
Courts, juries, and counsel may be pure and
firm; yet the evidence may fail, or the law prove
insufficient. In view of such possible contin-
gency, felt the importance of placing myself
in position to be able to satisfy the people of
Maryland, and other Southern States, that the
failure to convict the Christiana rebels was not
to be taken as proof of the negligence, apathy
or prejudice of Northern judges and Jurors
Therefore, | determined to send the attorney
general of Maryland, either as participant in,
or witness of the prosecutions. His high per-
sonal character acknowledged ability. and off,
cial station, would, we'll knew, command the
respect and confidence of all His report could
not fail to give proper direction to public SEN
timent. Upon his testimony, the people OF
MARYLAND, and the South would rest coniented.
, even though the trial might result in the acqut-
tai of the murderers, if he vouched for the fair
ness and impartiality of the proceedings. In
the absence Of such reliable testimony, was
aware that an acquitta would be regarded
here as prima facia evidence of the triumph of a
corrupt fanaticisrn.
Such was the very evident prospect before
hon i Il
ingly instructed the attorney general TO attend
the preliminary investigation, held at Lancaster,
before Alderman Reigart, (whose firm and noble
bearing entities him to the respect of every
7 honorable and patriotic citizen,) and to report
the result TO me. He did so. AS soon as
ascertained that the criminals had been arrested
and held for trial upon charge of high treason
|, against the United States, further instructed
the attorney general to apply for permission to
participate in the prosecution; and, in the event
OF refusal, then TO be present at the trials, and
report the proceedings TO me- The application
was readily acceded to by the federal govern
} ment likewise employed the Hon. James
Cooper, United States Senator from Penn.
/, sylvania. distinguished lawyer and statesman
and friend of constitutional right,) rs assistant
counsel Thus represented, Maryland made her
appearance at the bar Of the public Justice Of the
United States, and before Pennsylvania Jury /;
claiming, not the worthless breath OF Individual
J traitors, but the vindcation Of the chartered
rights Of the South, which had been trampled
! down in the blood Of her own citizens. Mary
land stood there, and plead for the Constitution,
through the wounds Of her murdered sons
! The result is before u.s. The peace-loynp the
| Union-loying, the law.abiding State of Maryland
J has failed 10 secure justice.
Although she is border State, and is prsct.
cally, more interested in this fugitive slave law
than ell other States beside, nevertheless has
she admOnished South Carolina against seces.
sion, and cheered on Virginia in the ways of 10y
atty. Although she would never have entered
this confederacy, Gas every instructed man well
knows,) without the insertion in the federal
Constitution ofthe very clause for the enforce
ment Of which the fugitive slave law was passed,
[ nevertheless has she patiently and almost un-
compainingly stood by, and witnessed the trea.
aonablo unon tho Cop a. L.,