Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-02-22
Is our phiIadelphia exchanges, ne find an

Is our Philadelphia exchanges, We Ind an
account of a meeting of the Pennsylvania State
Editorial Union, at Harrisburg, on Wednesday
last. Our brethren of the quill and scissors
turned out handsomely -thirty-nine counties
being represented, and considerably larger
number of papers Gov. Packer was present,
and delivered an excellent address, His expe-
rience is another proof that merit will meet its
reward, even if found in printers Gimp
The Governor, in the course of his remarks,
said:
Nearly forty years ago entered printing
office, when was small boy. went through
all the grades, from the lowest printers appren-
tice, that of the conductor Of public journal,
and published a paper for some fifteen or
twenty years. certainly did not distinguish
myself as an editor, as my friend on my left has
done, although believe he never was prscti-
cal printer.
The PRESIDENT never had that honor, and
am very sorry that had not.
Governor Packer.-Brother editors: 1t is the
highest honor that has ever been conferred upon
me, and look back to it with pleasure. Ipass-
ed through the poor boys college, in making
my way through.lile. Ny first place was that
in which many of the editors here present have
tors have a right to be proud of their art l
need not say to you, my fellow citizens, that
did not come here to make n speech because
you will learn that before am through. Prin-
tiers, say, have right to be proud of their art.
| Cast your eyes back for a few centuries, when
there were no printers, and you will find that
the whole world was enveloped in darkness, and
that to be poor man was to be a serf and a
slave. Now, civilization, and the arts and sci
cnces, march behind the printing press. Wher-
ever you send your army, the most potent ma
chine that goes with that army, more formula
BILE than the cannon, more terrible than the
sword, is the printing press that is car
ried with it; every platoon contains prin-
ter, and in every battle that has been
fought on this continent, the printers have not
only done their part with the sword, but with
the printing press; and to-day, the printing
press is most feared by the tyrants OF this world
for it is the tyrants foe and the peoples friend.
The printing press is more feared this day,
among the old rotten aristocracy of Europe, than
all the armies of the world Whst is it that
Louis Napoleon most fears? If two hundred
thousand resolute soldiers were to appear in
Paris tomorrow, they would not alarm him
half so much as the news that two hundred
thousand newspapers, containing the true record
| of his government had been circulated within
the city of Paris. Only four hundred years ago
there were no printing presses. Contrast that
period with the present, and see the advance
mcnt that has been made in all the elements oil
greatness. How do you account for il? Do you
think at this day there is more patriotism-that
the country is moro enlightened since the inven-
ton ofthe printing presss Certainly not. Il is
that the sheets that come from off the toiling
printing presses enlighten the world; and in en-
tightening the millions, you promote their well
fare and comfort.
Mr.. President, do not come, as said before
to make speech. thank my brother editors
for doing me the honor of inviting me here-I
thank you from the bottom OF my heart. What
off In arrin off for feel
myselfa printer Whatever affects an editor,
affects me, for have been myself an editor.
again thank you, gentlemen, for the honor you
have conferred on inc.