The morning call., 1892-09-07
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DANIEL DOUG HERTY.

One of the most pathetic lives of our
times was brought TO close on Monday,
when Dan e Dougherty passed away after
a lingering Illness. Ills death had long
been expected; Miss Rehan, who was one
of his most intimate friends, said when she
was here that she never expected to meet
him again
Dougherty was member of well-to-do
family in PHILADELPHIA. The boy showed
capacity. and was carefully educated at the
best private schools and the university of
his State When he reached manhood, he
developed q natural eloquenee that made
him famous. lie had the gift OF extem-
poraneous oratory to such degree that
Lytton Bulwer read one of his speeches in
the House OF Commons, pronouncing it as
fine as any burst of elequence that had ever
been heard in that hall. When the Free
soilers crystallized into the Republican
party, Daniel Dougherty. then under so
years CT age, Joined them and took n posi-
tion in the party commensurate with his
gifts With Cameron and Curtin he tock
an active part in the campaign which re-
suited in the election of Lincoln, and it
was understood at the time that he could
have obtained high Office from the Govern
period he made the mistake of his life in
not going to the war; he never got over the
error. When Lincoln ran for the second
time, DDugbefty was one of his most active
supporters; he was chosen by the Union
League of Philadelphia to deliver the ad-
dress of welcome when the President Wis
tied that city. Again office was pressed
upon him, and again il was declined.
Rn mi ctr pf
eral Grant Dougherty remained Repub-
licap, but a malcontent Republican. lie
never sweryed in his devotion TO and trust
in Grant himself, but be knew Cameron by
heart, and watched the accumulation OF the
vast fortunes which he and his allies were
amassing with Indignation and dismay.
After the decision of the electoral college
awarding the Presidency to Hayes instead
OF Tilden he broke loose from his old asso-
ciates aud declared himself Democrat. In
that quality he went TO the Democratic
convention Of 1850, and nominated General
Hancock for the Presidency. With the
defeat Of bis candidate he withdrew from
political life and rarely appeared at politi-
cal meetings.
Some years ago his friends advised him
that Philadelphia was too contracted
i
ity. His means were limited; his reputa-
tion as a lawyer, especially in jury cases.
second to that of no one at the bar. He
was persuaded TO go to New York. where it
was said that COnkling was making a for
tune by his practice. He took an Office in
New York, hung out shiugle. and let it be
known that his services were at the COM
mand of clients. But they did not come.
cred an occasional speech at Tammany
ball, which made the hall ring with
applause, and thrilled mems souls as if
Henry Clay or Daniel Webster had come
back to life. But none Of the men who
shouted themselves hoarse over ais magnif-
cent periods brought him their law busi-
ness. He gave the experiment a fair trial
three years or 50. Then he bowed his head
TO fate, abandoned the struggle, and re-
turned TO Philadelphia, once more disap-
pointed. and this time broken hearted and
very sick nav There he fingered lill last
Monday, when death closed his career.
DoUgherty had all the elements which
usually command success. He was an
honest man, gentleman. kindly neigh
Dor, trusty friend; he possessed fund of
humoT, aud a remarkably clear head his
Gift Of Orat0ry was almost matchless But
bis life was failure. If it were absolutely
necessary TO try to give reasons for the fail
ure, it might, perhaps, be said that al no
period CT his career did Mr.. Dougherty ever
set before his eyes n goal which he deter
mined to reach or die in the attempt. He
was not purposeless man. but he changed
his purposes to suit the Circumstances Of
the day, so that he often seemed to be
doubling on his tracks, which involved a
waste Of potential energy. AS rule, the
men who succeed fix their eyes on their
object and hew TO the line unswerYiuSly, in
spite Of obstacles and delays. Poor Daniel
Dougherty was not Of these.