The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-04-08

j
Office, untip,he month of February, I84A a
period of fhree years. In May, rs43, Ges.
Packer received the appointment of Audiiot
General of the Commonwealth. He contin-
ued TO discharge the du,iss OF this Office until
May, 1876, period of TWO years. His Office
gave him scat ia the Cabinet of the Execu-
tive, and thus called into aciien his knowl
edge Of men, Of measures, and Of the diver
sified interests Of The Cornmonweaith. Hold
ing jurisdiction over all ths public accounts,
the large expenditures of snepsy for public
improvements, and the numerous difficult
questions and complicated cases which arose
for adjudication, called for the sxsrcise of
the soundes, judgment; hd no mind, save
one enlightened by an extensive acquain..
ance with common laws and equity ptiuci-
pies, as well as with the stsuies Of the Com.
monwsal,h, could have Hilcharged the duties
of this exalted slatiep. The settlement Of the
claims of the domes,i creditors, with the
other business Of the diics arising from the
increased public expetitures for improve
ment aud other purpose. rendered the duties
OF The Auditor General Jar more burdensome
Than they have been slice, or had ever been
before, al any period in the history Of the
government. And thsabiiity displayed by
General Packer, bis peSsct mastery Of every
question which arose, I'D his iE pariislity in
the discharge Of bis HIN duties, in the set
tiement of these questions, are acknowledged
by men of all parties.
II nay with great truth be said of General
Packer that he is indebit I'd 10 his own indus.
Try for the education apl knowledge he has
acquired, and 10 his own merits for the iis.
tincliou to which he has attained. He is
thoroughly democtauo nshis principles, and
is always ready 10 devo,e his talents and his
means 10 the success of those principles
He is no empty talker absu, names and forms,
following the substance and not the shadow.
Spfinging from the peops p, he is always ready
TO do battle for their rights. Looking 10 the IN
as the legitimate source Of all political ou.
Ihorily, he is ready 10 irasl them with every
power consistent with representative govern
mert. Aware tha saature OF the federal
compact, and of the unwillinsness Of the
early statesmen Of democracy to trust the
central government With any but limited
authority, hs is ever ready 10 stand by the
Stale sovereiguiies in coafuing the General
Government strictly within these powers
granted uy Ste Fsaeruf Cop-.i,s.ioes Men
OF esniaencs ins,hs pafly 70 .iiieh General
Packer Belongs, may occasionally differ in
the application, Of pripeipsss 10 particular ca.
ses, but oil polHiciads, the genuine Dem
oera,ic school, subscribe TO ihs great fnnda-
mental doctrine of the party, that "the pow.
ers no, delegated TO the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by i: 10 the Stales,
are reserved to the States respectively, or 10
the people" Upon the steady supper. OF
this prnaiple the permanenoy OF the Union
and the liberties of tue people depend. Ev-
cry extension OF territory, and every increase
Of the great sisleThood Of nations, Of which
our glorious confederation is compQssj, is
but new demand upor the patriot Cor wig.
liant aud energetic support Of the ancient,
safe and chief principles of ibe Democratic
party, strict construction Of the Federal Con
stitution. So long as this principle Of con.
siruction is adhered 10 by our public author.
tiles, and by those who clohe them with
power, the rights of the people and of The
States. will be protected against the usurpns
tendencies Of q great central governme ni.-
With this principle constantly before us, and
with our public men able and willing 10
maintain j, either in the legislative hall, or
in The Judicial forum. we can have no fears
Of notification or consolidation; but our great
and glorious Union, standing as an iluslrious
example Of the capacity of The people for
self governme shall not only secure its own
greatness and perpetuity, but shall light all
the nations Of The earih in their onward march
10 freedom.