The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-04-08
wILLIAm r. PaeKER,
THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR OF
PENNSYLVANIA.

THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR or
PENNSYLVANIA.
William F. Packer is above the ordinary
size his robus, frame, with rounded contour;
his lair complexion, tnsed with iherosy hues
of healthy and vigorous circulation; his
capacious forehead, indicating great intellect.
pal power; bis intelligent counlenance and
agreeable manners, render his personal APP
ipearance al once prepossessing aud CON-
manding. In 1876 be was duly elected
member ofthe House OF Representatives from
the dislric, composed of the counties of Ly.
coming, Clinton and Potter; bu, by a mis-
take in carrying out the returns OF one Of the
townships ia Clinton county, his oPponen,
was returned as elected, and actually served
during the whole OF the session, before the
mistake was discovered. la i847, The peo-
pie of his district appeared 10 be determined
10 manifest their views by vote so decisive
as not to be mistaken or defeated, and he
was accordingly elected 10 the House Of Rep.
.resena,ives by mgorily exceeding fifteen
hundred over his competitor. Although this
was his firstappearanee as member OF leg
slalive body, his knowledge Of The public
interests, his acquainance with rafiam-Hta-
~ rules, and his business capacity were so
universally known aud acknowledged, that
he was at once chosen by his fellow mem
bers to preside over their deliberations as
Speaker of the House.
The selection of a neU member 10 post Of
such great responsibility, and requiring such
varied and extensive abilities, may be fegar-
ded as bigh honor, in which Gen. Packer
stands as the sole recpion, in bis native State.
Such recognition of pre-eminent abilities,
is of rare occurrence every where and il Is
believed never occurred before in Pennsyl-
vania. In l84S he was re elected 10 the
House. The brilliant achievements of a
brave and successful General, who was car-
didate for the Presidency had produced dis
astrous results to the Democratic party
throughout the Union, and had given the
Wings large majority 10 the Senate Of Penn
eylvania, and reduced the Democratic mem.
bers in the House 10 bare equality ia num-
ber with their opponents. Notwithstanding
this circumstance, and although every mem.
Der was in attendance at the organization Of
the House, Gen. Packer was again elected
Speaker of that Body. Considering his known
attachment to Democrstc principles, his
great influence and continual activity as q
wsiler and as q public epeaxer In sustaining
the principles and candidates of the Demo-
cratic party, his second elevation TO the
Speakers chair must be regarded as an hon.
osabIe and maenanmous tribute 10 his talents
aud integrity, and to the impariali'y and abil-
iiy with which he had discharged the high
duties Of the Office of the previous ssssion.--
This compliment was in fact richly meriled.
General Packer possesses mind well stored
with useful knowledge. Although self taugh,
his education has not been neglected. He is
familiar with the current literature, and with
the teachings OF history and philosophy. AL.
though no: member Of the legal profession.
he is q much better lawyer than many who
belong TO il. HE thorough acquaintance with
the legal principles, acd with constitutional
and parliamentary law, eminen,ly qualify him
for the duties of the chair. And 30 saiisfsc.
tory were his decisions upon H any difficult
questions which arose during his two official
terms as Speaker, that they have been in no
instance reversed by the House. Indeed if
We srs not mistaken, an appeal was never
taken from any decision pronounced by Gen.
Packer as Speaker, except 10 one solitary
case and on that occasion, upon hearing his
reasons and the authorities cited in support
of his decision, the judgment OF the chair was
unsnimo mously sustained; the gentleman scho
took The appeal, Acknowledged his error and voted
against has os0n appect 10 sustain the deeision Of
ihs chair; !, is-proper to add, in this place,
that General Packer 10 one Of the most pow
erful debalers which our country has produ-
ced. In the primary assemblies of The peo-
pie, and in their les sIa.ive halle, his eminent
abilities in this respect have been frequently
displayed and always acknowledged. In
government resting upon public opinion, the
discussion, ia public assemblies of the peo-
pie, of The principles and measures 10 be OPP
posed as detrimental, or advocated as advan-
cling the public interest, is absolutely indie
pensable TO success. The freedom of debate
is empha,icaily the slimen, of seli-govern-
ment, which goes hand in hand with free
discussion in our public journals. The free
dom of speech and the liberty Of the press are
the palladums Of public liberty. But The
temple woald soon be oserhrown by the
strong arm OF tyranny unless i's columns we're
constantly supported by the power and pa'ri'
oiism Of her writers and orators. In this age
of progress, The man who is unable 10 ex-
press his views to his fellow -cilizens, and TO
discuss the measures Of government before
The assemblies OF the people, will be left so
far behind in the political race as 10 be soon
forgollen. General Packers distinguished
Abilities a. writer aud as an orator, take
him out Of this category ami place him in
The front rank Of ouf mos, useful, influential,
and promising citizens. ,,,s-s 1.s.s.
The subject Of this sketch 10 thus before
the reader, and we see wha, he ,s now. Let
Us look into bis past history thai we may un-
derstand the means by which he has acquir.
ed his present eminence. He was born in
Howard township, Centre couniy, on the ID
of April, 1907. He is descended from high-
| iy respectable family who belong 10 the So.
cietv Of Friends but thev we.e Wings of