The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-04-08
WILLIAM r. PACKER,
THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FoR GOVERNOR {
rrs prNNsytyANIa

THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR OF
Pennsylvania.
William F. Packer is above the ordinary
size his robust frame, with rounded contour;
his fair complexion, tinged with the rosy hues
Of healthy and vigorous circu la,ion; his
capaclous forehead, indicating great intellect
nal power; his intelligent couutenance and
agreeable manners, render his personal ap-
pearance at once prepossessng and COM
manding. Ia 1886 he was duly elected a
member OF the House Of Representatives from
the disiric, composed of the counties of Ly-
coming, Clinton and Potter; but by mis-
take in carrying out the returns Of one Of the
townships in Clinton county, his opponent
was returned as elected, and actually served
during the whole OF the session, before the
mistake was discovered. In 1S47, the peo-
pie of his district appeared to be determined
TO manifest their views by vote so decisive
as not to be mistaken or defeated, and he
was accordingly elected TO the House Of Rep.
resen,atives by q majority exceeding fifteen
hundred over his competitor. Although this
was his first appearance as member Of leg
isla,ive body, his knowledge OF the public
interests. his acquaintance with rarliamenta-
~ rules, and his business capacity were so
universally known and acknowledged, that
he was at once chosen by his fellow men,
bers TO preside over their deliberations as
Speaker of the House.
The selection of a ne,o member 10 post Of
such great responsibility, and requiring such
varied and extensive abilities, may be regar-
ded as high honor, in which Gen. Packer
stands as The sole recipient in his native State.
Such a recognition Of pre-eminent abilities,
is of rare occurrence everywhere and it Is
believed never occurred before in Pennsyl-
vania In lsls he was re elected 10 the
House. The brilliant achievements of a
brave and successful General, who was car
didale for the Presidency had produced dis
astrous results TO the Democratic party
throughout the Union, and had given the
Wings a large majority in the Senale Of Penn
sylvania, and reduced the Democratic mem.
bers in the House 10 bare equality in num-
Der 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 Democratic principles, his
great influence and continual activity as a
writer and as public speaker in sustaining
the principles and candidates of the Demo-
cratic party, his second elevation TO the
Speakers chair must be regarded as an hon.
orabe and magnanimous tribute 10 his talents
and integrity, and TO the imparlialiiy and abil-
ity with which he had discharged the high
duties of the office of The previous session.
This compliment was in fact richly merited.
General Packer possesses mind well stored
with useful knowledge. Although elflaught
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 much better lawyer than many who
belong TO il. His thorough acquaintance with
the legal principles, ard with constitutional
and parliamentary law, eminently qualify him
for the duties of the chair. And so satsfac-
tory were his decisions upon many 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 are not mistaken, an appeal was never
taken from any decision pronounced by Gen.
Packer as Speaker, except in 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
unanimously sustained; the gentleman who
took the appeal, Acknowledged his error and roted
against h,s own appeal to sustain the decision Of
the chair; il is proper to add, in this place,
that General Packer is one of the most pow
erfu debaters which our country has produ-
ced. In the primary assemblies of the peo-
pie, and in their leg islative halle, his eminent
abilities in this respect have been frequently
displayed and always acknowledged. In
government resting upon public opinion, the
discussion, in public assemblies OF the peo-
pie, of The principles and measures 10 be op-
posed as detrimental, or advocated as advan-
cling the public interest, is absolutely indis-
pensable to success. The freedom Of debate
is emphalicay the aliment of sel!-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 would soon be overhrown by the
strong arm OF tyranny unless its columns were
constantly supported by the power and Pa'rl'
o,ism of her writer's and orators. In this age
of progress, the man who is unable 10 ex-
press his views to his fellow-cizens, and to
discuss The measures of government before
the assemblies Of the people, will be left so
far behind in the political race as TO be soon
forgotten. General Packers distinguished
abilities as writer and as an orator, take
HIM out of this category ami place him in
the front rank of our most useful, influential,
and promising citizens.
The subject of this sketch is thus before
the reader, and we see VIII at he is now. Let