The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-08
The late Richard s. Donnell.

We alluded briefly in our last to the death
of this distinguished and worthy citizen.
Some other pen than ours, better fitted for
the task, should clio justice to the many no.
BILE traits that adorned his character.
RICHARD s. DoNNELL, the son of the Hon.
John R. Donnell, deceased, was born Sep
tember goth, 1920. He spent some time at
Yale College, and afterwards graduated with
distinction at our State University. He then
prepared himself for the legal profession, in
which, though he labored for years under i'll
health, he occupied the font rank among
our ablest lawyers. His practice was large,
and if he had lived and desired it, he would
have attained, as he would have graced, the
highest judicial seat in the State.
In 1S47, at the early age of 81, he was
elected from the Newbern District to the Con-
gress of the United States. He subsequently
served as member of the Senate and House
of Commons of this State, and was the
Speaker of the latter body for two terms.
He was clear, quick, accurate and impartial
in this position, insomuch that he won the
commentator, respect and confidence, in
the most exciting party times, Of those OPP
posed to his political views. Those who
knew him best esteemed him most highly.
He was truly "a man above fear and above
reproach." He had will of iron united
with the gentleness and grace of woman.
With all his firmness, and devotion to what
he thought to be right, no one ever knew
him to say or do anything calculated to in
fict pain on his opponents.
"His life was gentle and the elements
= So mixed in him. that Nature
Night stand up and say to all the world,
This WAS A MAN. =, ...s--.
We find the following beautiful, and ap-
propriate tribute to his character I'm the last
New Bern Republican. We take the liberty
of adopting as our own this tribute, which
is so well deserved and so truthful and
touching in its nature -
Hon. r. S. DON nell.
What troop of Inournful, yet 7Ieasant me-
mories crowd the vista of twenty five years agone,
as we trace the characters that make up the sum
of that cherished name.
The bright cherry face oft1e just-emancipated
confidence, (always inspired by true genius) in
the noviciate of life's sterner struggles; the re-
pose of the successful competitor for the praise
and honors due to WORTH always the same genial,
social, warm hearted conn anion and friend.
Through all that everf iul period, in which,
perhaps, few hay have borne more earnest and pro.
under every phase of II chequered experience,
challenged the wonder And admiration of all who
knew him. In the blaze bf popular favor, scarcely
ever equalled,) not y shade of elated triumph
marked his manly brcty, and aaeOer for moment
did he co'cer, before fthe most crushing of ate's
depressing blows. 1T is idle to attempt to write
ways live, (while those who knew him survive,)
in the inner shrine rof every heart. Broken-heart
ed widows, helpless orphans, the suffering of ev-
cry age and race will embalm his memory in the
hottest of human affections.
lawyer of eminent ability, statesman of
acknowledged Superiority, he was what was in
tnitcly of more worth, an honest man. The very
soul of all that'is noble Shakespeare could have
had no higher i1nodel in his mind when he wrote
Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit,
For, It's a throne where honor may be crown'd
Sole monarch
The place; which the deceased held in the es-
TEEN and affection of the writer of this feeble tri
bute, is known to few. He will take no pro-
mnent place in the solemn pageant of his burial;
yet no one in that mournful cortege will carry
deeper grief or cherish his memory more greenly.
1t is, iEdeed, sad to lose the loved and choice
ones of earth. But, it is fates stern decree. The
Bard of gIantua seems sadly enough to sum up
lfe's gloomy history.
"Optfma quaeque dies miseris mortalibus aevi
Priuia fugit; subeunt morbi trstisque senectus,
Etlabor; ct durae rapit inclementia norris"
w.