Raftsman's Journal

Correspondence of the Journal.

Philadelphia, September 1st, 1855.

One subject only seems at present to fill the public mind, or the editorial columns of our daily papers. The heart-rending Railroad accident at the city of Burlington N. J. It is really too distressing to enter into particulars.- I have just returned home from the scene of the disaster. and words are wanting to give any idea of the condition of the sufferers, or the feelings that are excited by the awful destruction of life. Thus far about 25 deaths have occurred and four or five more are likely to take place, so that the whole number will not probably be less than 30. But when we take into consideration the amount of agony the survivors have to endure, it seems, those who have met with a sudden death are in some respects not to be so much lamented for it. Seeing only can give any idea of the destruction. The cars were literally torn to fragments, and the ground around is strewed with them too small to be gathered up mingled with the lining of the seats, the glass of the windows &c. I saw one poor man last evening who though living, seemed more like one dead, his face was cut and gashed in a frightful manner, his collar bone broken, and several ribs actually broken and driven inwards, yet not a groan escaped him, but he lay as if unconscious of pain.

I was on the ground yesterday with the Coroners jury examining the locality and the causes of the accident, to me it seemed four-fold though entirely the result of the most reckless carelessness. First the neglect of the company (who enjoy the sole right of conveying passengers by railroad across the State of New Jersey.) to provide a double track road. Second, the neglect of the Superintendent to issue his orders to the Conductors to await the arrival of the other train rather than run the risk of a collision. Third, the recklessness of the Conductor in running backward at a speed positively forbidden by law at that spot, and failing to keep the required look out while approaching a crossing, and, lastly the worse than folly, the madness of the driver of the carriage attempting to cross a railroad at a speed of 8 miles an hour (as he himself admits) without looking to see if a train was coming. (I take it for granted that you will transfer the full particulars to your columns, so I speak of facts as though I had mentioned them.)

This is without exception the most distressing accident that has ever happened in the history of railroads within 20 miles of our city, but you can have no idea of the gloom that spread over Burlington. Had the yellow-fever been dealing death among the inhabitants, and marking its victims as it is doing at Norfolk the city would scarce presented a more sorrowful aspect. All mirth and pleasure was buried. and the citizens nobly turned out to render all the aid in their power, and many a parlor. where but a few moments before, was heard the gay laugh or the happy voice, now hear naught but the stifled groan, or the hurried words of the attendants. The Physicians of Burlington as well as several from Philadelphia have been untiring. from the first. to render all that medical skill could do, but alas in too many instances their kind offices will be unavailing. It is due to the Railroad Company to say that since the accident they have done all they could to help the injured, but alas their assistance comes too late to many. That shortsightedness, which to save a few thousands, has cost them many more, must give way to a more enlightened policy or the people will take the matter in their own hands,and sooner or later they will find it out.

This subject has so completely engrossed my mind I have hardly a thought for anything else. Yet a few words about that Williamson case. The innocent sufferer of Judge Kane's spleen is still an inmate of the prison, where his health seems to be suffering from confinement, though his spirit is as unbroken as ever. But a voice will go forth from that cell which will shake the strong hold of slavery, and the ball which Judge Kane has unintentionally set in motion will not cease to roll until slavery shall be driven back to its death-bed. Kansas and Nebraska will be two free States now, or none at all.

I believe the convention of the contemplated Republican party met yesterday, but no doings of theirs have come to light. I fear they are a little too ultra in their views, and are only attempting to build up the defunct "Liberty party." I am not a fullblooded abolitionist, though a determined opponent of slavery. I believe in the sovereign rights of the individual States. but not of interference with each other, on local considerations, but new Territory is the property of all the States collectively, and there the battle must be fought and won.

Business is still pushing ahead, rapidly, and western and Southern merchants are crowding our hotels. Money that all important article is plenty, and the usual out-door rate is 8 per cent for good paper, while the banks generally take all the first class paper offered. Two new banks go into operation on the 3rd.

The accounts from Norfolk and Portsmouth of the yellow fever, are still distressing, and aid is still going forward from this city. Over $10,000 in money, besides nearly as much more in drugs &c. have been contributed here.

Since this letter was written, I learn another accident occurred on the Camden and Amboy Railroad about nine miles from Philadelphia Two horses were killed. but providentially the cars were not thrown from the track, or we might have had to record another fearful loss of life.

Yours &c.

O. O.