The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-20

we nave received d well Written communication on
this subject signed "A yrginian," which We had in
tended 10 publish, but which has been mislaid The
writer states that he has the public prints brief
paragraph TO the effect that the grand jury OF Lancaster
county has refused TO find bills OF indictment against
the persons charged with participating ia the outrage
which resulted in the murder OF Mr. Gorsuch and he
requests 10 give him such information may pos
in relation TO the subject He adds that he knows
many citizens of Virginia who well aware that their
fugitive slaves now in Pennsylvania and would
gladly reclaim them but deferred from so doing by
the dangers which they apprehend in The undertaking
He refers to the recent patriotic declarations OF Mr. Sena
Tor Brodhead in his place in the Senate that the good
citizens OF Pennsylvania and the State authorities
resolved faithfully 10 execute the fugitive law II
stands on the statute book He represents the people OF
Virginia, and the other States OF the South DESTROYS
TO give lu credit 10 the views thus stated and concludes
with urging upon public attention. temperate terms the
unfortunate Impressions which such termination as he
refers to- OF the judicial proceedings in the Chrsana case
is calculated TO produce upon the minds of men in the
| southern States
Such is, as nearly recollec it, the substance
OF the communication had intended to lay before our
readers; and we regret that is not in power reply
to the writer's request for further information to make
statement fully calculated to his apprehensions
OF an unsatisfactory impression the public mind from
the result of the late trials. We entirely concur in the
declarations made by Senator Bodhead as to the sound
and patriotic sentiments entertained upon This subject by
the citizens OF the noble Commonwealth OF Pennsylvania,
which has well the proud title OF the Keystone of
the Federal Arch Mr. Bodhead's decided stand agains,
the anslavery agitation, from the first. is well known,
AM g str he in
some degree have emphasized his expressions Yet we
entertain assured conviction that no effort will be
wanting the part of Gov Biger and the State author
ties TO do their whole duty faithfully, and promptly to
execute the fugitive law any case tina, hereafter may
arise and TO prevent or sgnay punish any such outrage
as resulted in the death OF Mr. Gorsuch and we hold it
to be entirely certain that in thus indicating the suprem
acy Of the law the State authorities would be nobyand
iumphantly sustained by the people of the State To
this acknowledgment in the ampes terms the people Of
Pennsylvania specially entitled at this me in view
of the character and result of their late elections
Yet we constrained to say that there has been dis
appointment and ground for disappointment in the ter
mnaon OF the Chrisana trials and judicial Investigations
Our readers will remember that several persons charged
with the offence were indicted by The federal authorities
for treason against the United States In the case of
the person first tried principal offender, the govern
ment understand failed in the opinion Of the court
the United States court for the district of Pennsylvania
TO make out case OF treason, and the ruling the
prisoner was acquitted In consequence OF this the pros
ecuting officer entered nolie progui upon the indcl
ments for treason found against other alleged Offend
in the and further prosecution OF the be-
fore the federal courts abandoned. The case was
then brought before the State judicial authorities of The
I-,,, 81 IL.
against persons implicated were submitted to the grand
jury OF The county Upon these charges the grand jury
has declined to find bills of Indictment and so far as we
are informed this is the final disposition OF the
| Assuming the facts 10 be substantially as we have
stated them deem the present posture of the matter
be subject OF deep regret, We do not profess TO know
wha, technical difficulties may be in the way of further
and eecual procedure. TO what extent legal evil
dence of the guilt incurred in the awless proceedings
which caused the death OF Mr. Gorsuch may now be
wanting But it is very certain and very amensbe that
great crime has been committed and is yet punished
|, is certain that the law Of the United States has been
defiance and defeated by armed force, causing the
violent death OF awabdiDg citizen, and that the per-
pcators Of the outrage yet go unwhppcd Of public JUS
tce. The people OF those States who interested in
the faithful execution Of the fugitive law expect, and
have fght 10 expect, something better tban bls-and
especially from the noble State OF Pennsylvania.
When the Christiana crime first perpelrated, we
called attention temporarily but in terms which seemed
to behng the 10 the renissness Of
Johnston in his official action in relation TO the matter
and we pointed out what we regarded as the evil ehec
of bis sympathy politician with the abolilonists
he being at that time candidate for their votes. How
far the circumstances to which then referred may
have had effect in producing the present unfortunate
and unsatisfactory posture OF the case it IS impossible
for TO determine Butone thing, least is certain
The fact tina, such crime, perpetraed and prosecuted
under the late administration in Pennsylvania, has not
yet It's due punishment must enhance the satisfaction
of patriotic the signal condemnation OF that ad
mins,raon which the people have lately pronounced
the ballotbox The OF the Union and the oharac.
ter OF PENNSYLVANIA herself demanded that her State
horty should be lodged in the safer and more cectua
bands in which the people have now placed it.
The WHO PARTY 1T is worthy of remembrance (says
the Hartford Tmes) that this party abandoned their pro-
LESSONS they came in possession OF the gov.
eminent They gave up at their opposition TO the
independent treasury system, which they declared would
certainly ruin the country and very glad TO continue
it in full force They could no, get along without it
This shows that their assertions in relation to it were
based upon false Foundations and that their profession,
were hollow hearted, merely put forth TO catch votes