Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-11-20
hlonAAp nAnAIna roN pNAp.
He PasseB Away Early Tuesday
morning After u Ling erfDg iii.

/
mess.
A special dispatch from the GAzETTE's
Dover correspondent announces the deAlb
OF Richard Harrington, q at bis lcm-
in that place about O'Clock Tu siay
morning. Mr.. Harrington has been III
about six weeks with an attack of conges.
tlon OF the brain and his life was des'
paired OF for some time after. He, how.
ever, improved considerably and was be
lieved to be recovering from the danger
ous afil lotion until few days ago when
relapse set in and the patient never
rallied, but passed quietly away this
morning.
Mr.. Hsrrington's death removes one OF
the most conspiou Jus young men in the
State. He WAS sou of the late Samuel
NJ. Harrington, Rq., former chan
cellor Of Delaware, and was born st
Dover In 1S47 He was educated at Dover
and while attending the schools OF that
place, took French leave Of his tutors aud
made a trip to Europe Returning,
he resumed his studies, and after
ward read law with Nathaniel
B. Smlthers, Esq. Mr.. Harrington
early driftsd into politics, and before his
admission to the bar, or before he had
vote, he had oanvassed the State making
political speeches, which In themselves
attracted 8 great deal Of attention for
their brilliRnoy, and the style In which
they were delivered. Shortly after his
admission TO the bar Mr.. Harrington went
20 Washington, and entered the office of
George P. Fisher, then district attorney OF
the D lstrict of Columbia He was appointed
assistant to Mr.. Fisher and his brilltAncy
soon made him q conspicuous figure at
the national capital, An unfortunate
circumstance led Mr.. Harrington to re-
tire from the district attorneys office and
after time he returned to Dover and re
sumed the practice OF law. HE
natural liking and tastes for public
affairs soon brought him back into
politics and In 1882 he was selected IS
chairman OF the Republican State central
committee. The campaign conducted by
Mr.. Harrington was one Of the most
vigorous ever carried on by the party in
this State, but the Republicans were
Overwhelmingly defeated, and Mr.. Har-
rington, in the language of a friend,
was hearibrtken at the treatment he
had received at the hands Of his fellow
Republicans"
Since the close OF the State campaign Of
1882, Mr.. Harrington has not figured in
public affairs, taking no part whatever In
politics except to call the Republican CON-
sention, to select Presidential electors, to
order. Then he prophetioslly stated
hat the last sct OF his Political life had
been performed, and that he would retire
from public life. He directly after threw
the convention in wild confusion by stat,
ing that 1t was due to himself and
children to state that he never
had advocated and was in no
wise responsible for the removal Of
. Republican from the State courts to
make place for q Democrat. The re
moval to which he referred had Just b.en
oonsummated and the effect OF MI. Har-
| rinRton's bomb in the convention, and
directly into the camp cf his political
allies osn be imagined.
In politics Mr.. Harrington was sharp,
shrewd, daring and vigorously aggressive.
AS an orator, perhaps be YVES most con-
spicuous ard fercible. Hs wss eloquent,
| earnest, and his efforts always com
manded close and attentive hearing.
| He possessed wonderful smount Of thai
Undesirable quality, magnetism, and
/ IL manner electrified his auditors.
| MS spbeOuou were uIllllsub W thSm-
selves, even when not profound,
and revealed the orators familiarity
with the classics from which he frequently
borrowed considerably, but slwsys it-
tinely. As q pr blio speaker Mr.. Harriug'
ton perhaps was the foremost OF his years
ip the State, Before a jury he was best
as a lawyer, his eltquenos serving him
we'll his power over panel Ia said to
have been wonderful. 1t is related Of
him that while residing in Washington
he made mastery Plaza for 6
prisonsr's life upon an hours study
Of the case. He was called in alter
| the regular counsel Tor the prisoner had
abandoned all hope for any other verdict
than murder in the first degree. Mr.,
Harrington was prevailed upon to try
and save the mau's life and he
arose In the court room and delivered one
of the most effective speeches ever de
livered before jury, which secured e
verdict for lesser degree of crime.
Socially, Mr.. Harrington had great
number OF strong qualities, and oOnse
quently had large circle Of very warm
personal friends. He WAS genial, oour
teous, atfAble and always entertaining; the
life OF party and an admirable host
His natural talents commanded admira
;ion and his GOOD ness of heart is attic ted
by all his fellow, townsmen and aoquaint-
al oes.
The deceased leaves wife, the
daughter Of DR. Ridgeley OF Dover, and
three children. The remains will be in.
TERED In Silver Lake cemetery on to-day;
services at his late residence at l o'clock
in the afternoon.