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

TO discharge with unsurpassed ability the
highly responsible and difficult duties of that
office, until the month OF February, 1912, a
period of three years. In May, 1913, Gen.
Packer received The appointment of Auditor
General of the Commonwealth. He contin-
ued TO discharge the duties of this office until
May, 1876, a period of Two years. His office
gave him a seat in the Cabinet of the Execu-
live, aud thus called into action his knowI.
edge OF men, of measures, and Of the diver
si6ed interests of The Commonwealth. Hold
ing jurisdiction over all the public accounts,
the large expenditures Of money for public
improvements, and the numerous difficult
questions and complicated cases which arose
for adjudication, called for the exercise of
the soundes, judgment; and no mind, save
one enlightened by an extensive acquain..
ance with common laws aud equity princ-
pies, as well as with the statutes of the Com
m monweallh, could have discharged the duties
of this exalted station. The settlement Of the
claims of the domestic creditors, with the
other business Of the office arising from the
increased public expenditures for improve
ment aud other purposes, rendered the duties
Of the Auditor General, far more burdensome
than they have been since, or had ever been
before, at any period in The history of the
government. And the ability displayed by
General Packer, his perfect mastery of every
question which arose, and hisinparialIty in
the discharge of his high duties, in the set
,,ement of these questions, are acknowledged
by men of all parties.
1t may with great truth be said of General
Packer that he is indebted ohis own indus
try for the education and knowledge he has
acquired, and 10 his own merits for the dis
tinction 10 which he has attained. He is
thoroughly democratic in his principles, and
Is always ready 10 devote his talents and his
means 10 the success of those principles
He is no empty talker about names and forms,
following the substance and not the shadow.
Springng from the people, he is always ready
TO do battle for their rights. Looking TO the m
as the Legitimate source Of all political au-
tIlorily, he is ready TO trust them with every
power consistent with representative govern :
meEt. Aware OF the nature of the federal
compact, and of the unwiIlingness of the
early statesmen of democracy to trust the
central government with any but limited
authority, he is ever ready to stand BY tn
state sovereignies in confning the General
Government strictly within these powers
Granted by the Federal Constitution. Men
OF emlnence In rhe pa.} 10 which General
Packer belongs, NAV occasionally differ in
the application of principles 20 particular ca.
ses, but all politicians, of the genuine Dem
oeratic school, subscribe 10 the great fnnda-
mental doctrine of the party, that "Ihe pow
ers not delegated 10 the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by i! 10 The States,
are reserved 10 the States respectively, or 10
the people," Upon the steady suppor. Of
this principle the permanenoy OF The Union
and the liberties of the people depend. Ev-
cry extension Of territory, and every increase
of the great sislerhood of nations, of which
our glorious confederation is composed, is
but new demand upor the patriot for a Wig
liant and energetic support Of The ancient,
safe and chief principles of The Democratic
party, strict construction Of lie Federal Con.
stitution. So long as this principle of con.
slructon is adhered 10 by onr public author
tiles, and by those who clp,he them with
power, the rights Of the people and of The
States, will be protected against the usurping
tendencies Of great central governme nt.-
With this principle constantly before US, and
with our public men able and willing 10
maintain il either in the legitlative hall, or
in the judicial forum, We can have no fears
of notification or consolidation, but our great
and glorious Union, standing as an illuslrious
example Of the capacity of The people for
self government, shall not only secure its own
greatness and perpetuity, but shall light all
the nations Of The earth in their onward march
10 freedom,