The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-27
THE ONEIDA SUFFEREPS.

The latest rumor with regard to the Oneida
disaster is that, according to the statement of
naval officer who has Just arrived at Wash
ington from Yokohama Captain Eyre would
have stopped his vessel after the collision,
but for the entreties of Lady Temple, wife of
the British Minister, who feared shipwreck.
Even if true this would not mitigate the guilt
of Eyre one particle, but unfortunately for
even this weak plea in behalf of the brutal
EngEshman, there is not one word in all the
testimony that will in the slightest degree
implicate Lady Temple in the transaction, and
the whole blame for the loss of so many pre-
cious lives must still rest upon the shoulders
of the British commander. At the court of
inquiry held at Yokohama every particle of
testimony that could possibly favor Captain
Eyre was brought forward, and not one word
said about any interference whatever on the
part of Lady Temple or any of the passengers.
In fact, the discipline on board of the Bombay
seems to have been perfect. Captain Eyre
was in command of the deck, with all his
officers at their proper posts, and he alone was
responsible for all the movements of his ship,
or all that was done or left undone. The
whole secret of this lamentable affair is that
of British steamship captains, in not stopping
for anything, and when he cut into the
Oneida he preferred to run on and take the
chances that the injured vessel would never
more be heard of, and himself and his owners
be spared lawsuit that would detain him in
port beyond his appointed time, and perhaps
entail upon him a heavy bill of damages.
After all that can be said in favor of this
brute, the fact remains that he did run away
from those drowning men, leaving them to
their fate with as little compunction as he
would lot of dumb beasts. Even the English
papers that were disposed to extenuate Eyre's
conduct, probably for the reason that
Yankee frigate was the sufferer, have been
compelled to take this view of the case and to
unite in the universal verdict of condemna-
ton.
Captain Williams, of the Oneida, was gal
liant and skilful officer, who served with dis
tinction during the entire war for the sup
preston of the Rebellion, and he had claims
upon the kindly regards of his fellow country
men that should not be forgotten new. 1t
appears that Captain Williams leaves three
children, between the ages of five and twelve,
who were entirely dependent upon his pay as
an officer for support, and who by his sudden
| death are left without the means of livelihood.
This is certainly case that appeals in the
strongest manner to the sympathies of the
patriotic people of the country; and there
ought to be no difficulty in raising sum of
money that will place these orphans in posi-
ton of independence and secure their proper
education. In Boston efforts are being made
to collect fund for the children of Captain
Williams, which will be placed in the hands
of R. b. Forbes, Esq. This gentleman is SO
well known and so highly esteemed that his
name is an ample guarantee that the money
will be applied in the most judicious manner
to the object for which it is intended, and we
hope that a handsome amount will be promptly
raised as testimonial of the national sympa-
thy with these children in their bereavement
Edward Shippen, Esq, No. 532 Walnut street,
will receive and transmit to Mr.. Forbes such
contributions as Philadelphians may be dis
posed to give, and as the smallest sums will
not be refused, it should not be difficult
thing for Philadelphia to add such an amount
TO this fund as will be creditable to the
liberality of our citizens.