THE STAR OF THE NORTH. *i f. Weaver, Preppfeler.] VOLUME 9. v THB STAR OF THE NORTH I* riTSUSHKD KVKST WEDNESDAY MORNING BT ft. W. 4VRA VKit, O FFICR Up staire. in Ike new brick build• ing, an Ike soutk side oj Main Street, tkird square below Market. 'F BR 1 9 :—Two Dollars per annum, if paid within six months from the time of aub aoribing ; two dollars and fifty cents if not paid within the year. No subscription re-1 ceived for a less period than six months; no discontinuance permitted until all arrearages are paid, utiles* at the option of the editor. ADVJCHTIHRMCNTS not exceeding one square will be inserted three times for One Dollar, and twenty five cents for each additions'! in setiion. A liberal discount will be made to those who advertise by the year. MIDMGUI' IN Til ft tluilSE UF Silt. DEE. BY ELIZABETH OAXEB SMITH. *'Titer* are morn things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than aca dreampt of in your philosophy." [Shakespeare. "Ma. ULLMAN— Tha ball waa very dark lb* gas turned off." "CoeoNca—Had it never been so before 1" Ma. ULLMAN —Ob, yet; but it SEEMED UNC *OALLY PARK." [Coroner's Jnq't on Ike JBurdeU Murder. Up the staircase—slowly—slowly- Walked the weary feel that nignt; Hollow echoes answer lonely To the loot, however light. Up the staircase, to the broadstair, Turn* he rharply to the right, There is anguinh in the still sir, There are shapes athwart tha sight. No, the eye was only treasured, Diamond-like, a hidden ray; And by this, the darkness measured, Shows it darkest ere the day. Was that sigh a human sighing 7 Was that groan from human heart ? Was that sob from lips ir, dying? There's a whisper—"We depart." Murky thick tbe blackness seemeth, As ho gropes athrough the gloom, Like to one, who sleeping dreamerb, That he wskei within a tomb. And the baluster he holdeth Has a cold sepulchral damp, And the heavy air enfoldedt Gleam and gloom like dying lamp. Thera'a a vapor, foetid, stealing Over all the shuddering sense, Like a charnel house, revealing What we are, the spirit hence. 6ure, the darkness is appalling— Deeper than all midnight gloom Voices muffled, shrieking, calling, Such as fill a haunted room. Trslh tha AMH IIM fingan Of a dim and shadowy band, And a breathing faintly lingers— Now, a touch is on tbe hand, N"W, a presence slowly gliding Up the MR us btfore his leet, Without foottall, stilly sliding, Mak ing darkness more complete. Sure, the way is very darksome- Sure, ■!> stillness voice bath found— For through all the chambers lonesome, Comes a call as from the ground. Thus the stranger upward wending, Marked how deep the deepened night, N*>er knowing the wild rending Of a soul opon it* flight. Unannealed, and ptayerless, driven To Die judgment seat on high— Unrepeoted sins uttshriven, "God be merciful," tbe cry, Smothered ere it left the portal Of the terror-stricken brant— Oh I the ory, so morn titan mortal, May we never bear again. For tha blood of this, our brother, Cries fmm out the startled ekilb, And unwillingly "or mother Take* on the monstrous birth; AH her children, where they Isnguislt In her cave* and cell* profound, Answer back the cty of anguish— "Human blood is on tba ground." And it reached tha deep pavilions Of God's everlasting throne, Calling forth it* many millions, Startled at the anguish-tune. High archangels downward bending, From their crystal walls to know, What poor human heart ia rending in it* agonized woe. Gentle spirit*, grief-enfolding, Chant evanaels low and sweet, How God's love is ever holding, Mercy nearest to His feet; "God be pitiful," are chanting, From their dear, supernal spheres, With their white wings downward slanting, Where exhale poor human tear*. Not alone the dear God leaves ua, But with cheering hand and voio*a Thus assuaging all that grieves us, Doubling joy when we rejoice. We are needlul each to other, In tbe battle-field of life— We are needlul, friend and brother, Household links—the husband, wife. We must walk with kind endeavor- Not alone, but linked io love, That God'a angel-bands may never Fail to see ua from above— And ilia cherubim all fiamitig, As of old at Kdan's gate, In God's book our record naming, Round our paradise ahall watt. 'I Me Pavement Is Istsdog. The pavement of London i* oo* of the giealset marvels of our timet. It covers nearly three thousand acres, two-thirds where Of consists of what may be raited mosaic' work, dona in plain style, end the other two plain flagging. Soch a aariea of work* far transcend* in quantity, aa it exeala in quality, lb* Appiao Way, which waa Ike wonder of ancient Rome, and wbieh would cut bet a poor figure a* contrasted with one of oor commonest street*. The attoient consul's way waa but fifteen feet wide in the main, end waa filled with blecka of all ebapea and •izaa, jointed together and pehed only oo tba earface; the length of its devious course, from north te south of Italy, was under three hundred mites. The patsd streets •( Leaden nam bar ever 6000, and exceed 2000 mile* |k htngik.—Entering News. fcLOOMSBUR(S, COLUMBIA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1857, WILLIAM P. PACKER, THI DEMOCRATIC NOMINEC TOK GOVERNOR Ot PKNNKFLVANM. William F. Packer ia above the ordinary I size ; his robust frame, with rnunded contour; i his lair complexion, tinged with tha rnay hues j of a healthy and vigorous circulation; hia 1 capacious forehead, indicating graat intellect | ual power; his intelligent countenance and agreesble manners, rendsr his personal ap pearance at once prepossessing and com manding. In 1846 lie was duly elected a member of the House of Representatives from the district composed of the counties of Ly coming, Clinton ami Potter ; but by a mis take in carrying out the returns of ona of the townships in Clinton county, his opponent was relumed as elected, and actually served during the whole of the session, before (he mistake was discovered.' In 1847, the peo ple of his district appeared to be determined to manifest their views by a vole so decisive as not to be mistaken or defeated, and he was accordingly eleoted to tbe House of Rep resentatives by a majority exceeding fifteen hundred over hie competitor. Although thia was his first-appearuni-e as a member of a leg illative body, bis knowledge of the publio interests, his scqosintance with parliameirta ry rules, and hia business capacity were so universally known and acknowledged, that he was at once choien by his fellow mem bers to preside over their deliberations at Speaker of the House. The selection of a new member to a poet of such great responsibility, and requiring each varied and extensive abilities, may be regar ded aa a bigh honor, in which Gen. Packer standi as the sole recipient in bis native State. Such a recognition of pre-eminent abilities, is of rara occurrence everywhere ; and it is believed never occurred before in Pennsyl vania. In 1848 he was -re elected to the House. The brilliant achievements of a brave and successful General, who wsa a can didate for the Presidency had produced dis astrous results to the Democratic party throughout the Union, and had given the Whigs a large majority io the Senate of Penn sylvania, and reduced the Democratic mem bers in the House to a bare equality iti num ber with their opponents. Notwithstanding thia circumstance, and although every mem ber was in attendance at the organization of the House, Gen. Packer was again elected Speaker ol that hotly. Considering hie known attachment to Democratic principles, his great influence and continual activity aa a writer ami aa a public speaker in eonahHnx ; the principles and candidates of the Demo- I cralio party, his second elevation to the ! Speaker's etiair must be regarded as an hon- 1 orable and magnanimous tribute to Iris talents ! and integrity, and (ot)te impartiality and abil- ! ity with which lie had discharged the high j duties of the office of tbe previous session.—• j This compliment was in fact richly merited. General Packer possesses a mind well stored with useful knowledge. Although self taught his education has nut been neglected. He is familiar with the current literature, and with the teachings ol history and philosophy. Al though no: a member of the legal profession, he is a much belter lawyer than many who belong to it. His thorough acquaintance with the legal principles, ar.d with constitutional and parliamentary law,eminently qualify him for tiie duties of the chair. And so satisfac tory wete his decisions upon many difficult questions which arose during his two official terms as Speaker, that tbey have been in no instance reversed by the Hoose. Indeed if we are uot mistaken, an appeal waa never taken from any decision pronounced by Gen. Packer aa Speaker, ezcept ia one solitary case; and on that occasion, apon hearing his reasons and tbe autboritisa cited in support of his decision, the judgment ol the chair was unanimously sustained ; the gentleman who took Ike appeal, acknowledged kit error and voted against his oian appeal to sustain Ike decision of ike tkair ; it is.proper lu add, in thia place, that General Packer ia one of the most pow erful debaters which our country has produ ced. In the primary assemblies of the peo ple, and in their legislative halls, bis eminent abilities in this respect have been frequently displayed and always acknowledged. In a government resting upon publio opinion, tbe discosaion, in poblio assemblies of tbe peo ple, of the principles and measures to be op posed as detrimental, or advocated as advan cing tbe poblio Interest, te absolutely indis pensable to success. Tbe freedom of debate i emphatically tbe aliment of aeli-govern menl, which goes hand in hand with Iree discussion in our public journals. The free dom of speech and tha liberty of the press ate the palladiums of publio liberty. But the temple would soon be overthrown by lite strong arm ol tyranny unless its columns were constantly supported by the power and plri oiiem of ber writers aod orator*. Iu this age of progress, the man who is unable to ex press bis views to his fellow-citizens, and to diacuee the measures of government before the assemblies ol the people, will be left so far behind in tbe politioal race as te be soon forgotten. General Packer's distinguished abilities aa a writer and aa an orator, take him out of this category and place bim in lb* front rank el our most useful, influential, and promieiug citizens. Tbe subject of this sketch is thus before the reader, and wa see what bs t* now. Let us look iuto hi* past history that w* may un derstand tha means by which be lie* acquir ed bis present eminence. He waa .born in Howard township, Centre county, on the 2d of April, 1807. He is descended fronts high ly respectable family who belong to the So ciety ol Friend*; bat they were Whig* of the Revolutionary period, and war* atlfched tp tbe oeae* of lb* country ic ber straggle for liberty. Hia greed-father, Jamas Parker, era* BWtf—CeMtcrT bom in 1726, on ■ farm in New Jersey, where (be lotrn of Princeton now stands. Hia fa ther also named James, was born in Cheater county, Pa. On the maternal side he is con nected with the Peilils, a large and influen tial family in Pennsylvania. Wnen Packer was but aeven years old hia father died leav ing a widow and five small children. At this 'tender age he was under the necesrity of contributing to hia own support, acd that of the family, by the moat revere and exhaust ing labot ; ami some years after at the age of twelve years, be traveled from Bellfonte to Sunbury, for the ptirpoae-ef learning the print ing buaittes with hiscousin,Samuel J. Pack er, formerly a dterittnotehed Senator,and then editor ol the 'Public Inquirer, a paper which advocated with great übility the re-election of William Findlay for Governor, io 1820. Sometime after the defeat of Mrt'Flndlsy, the Jngiriser waa discontinued, and in 1823 General Packer returned to Bsllfonte to com plete hie knowledge of the printing business, in the office of the Belt/bate Patriot, then un der the control of Heiuy Petrikett, Esq., who was subsequently distinguished es a Senator. General Packer completed bis apprenticeship in May, 1826, and was employed aa a jour neyman at the profession of the great Frank lin, on the public printing in fiarrisburg, in the years 1826, 1826, and 1827. In the let ter year lie putchased an interest in the Ly coming Gazelle, at Williameporl, Lycoming couuty; and in 1828, upon the deceaae ot hia partner, Mr. Brandon, became the sole owner of that time honorej Democratic jour nal. Its years already number more than half a century, end it still carries at its head the motto: "Be ye just and fear not," &c, which was placed there nearly thirty years ago by the present Judge Lewis, of Lancas ter, during his editorial control of that paper. It is atill a flourishing and influential journal, and is at present conducted by C. D. Eldrad, E.q , a gentleman of fine abilities and exalt ed judgment. While the Gazelle was under the control of General Picker, which was about nine years, it supported the election of Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Burer., George Wolf, and other Democratic standard bearets of that period ; and the cause of Democracy was greatly indebted, during these contests, to the discreet counsels of General Packer, and to the power of his pen made known through the editorial columns of his piper.— In 1829, General Paoker intermarried with the daughter of Peter Vanderbelt, F-q. a re spectable citizen of Williamsport, who had occupied various ortioiat ttions, of the public confidence of his (eilow-ciiigens. Miss Vanderbelt was the grand daughter ol MV-hael Ross, Esq., u gentleman distinguish ed for his ettergv of character, and strength of mind. He wis at ona lime the owner of the land whereon the borough, of Williams port now stands ; and his descendents contin ue extensive proprietors of valuable lands ad joining lite town. In 1832, shortly alter tie improvement ays tern had commenced in Pennsylvania, and I aftar the West Branch Canal had been adop ted as a part of the system, through the vote* and influence ot the Philadelphia members, the West Branch Improvement was left out of the Improvement Bill, and thus threatened with abandon mem. Had thia decision been adhered to, the people of that section would have derived no benefit from the large ex penditure of the public money for improve ment purposes. Publio meetings were im mediately held, addresses were delivered, resolutions adopted, and, among other strong measures, a direct appeal was made to the people of Philadelphia City and Couniy a gainst the suicidal policy of their owu mem bers. Thia last measure had the desired ef fect; and the Philadelphia members, under the influences brought to bear upon them from their own immediate constituency, re traced their ateps, and voted for tha West Branch Improvement, and it was thus saved I In all these proceedings, General Packer, although a very young man, bore a leading part. To his efforts, more than to any other individual, are the people or that section of the country indebted for the oonstruotion of their valuable canal. Aa the work progress ed, tbe public voice very properly called for hia appointment as Superintendent, which of fice be held until the spring of 1835. He discharged the dutie* of hia station to the sat isfaction of the people, and disbursed without a dollar's loss trrtho 6tt, while he held the office, mora than a million and a quarter of the public money I Hia accounts ware all regularly and properly settled. In 1835, Gen. Paeker was the warm friend of Gov. Wolf, and received the Democratic nomination for the Senate, but as the Democratic party was '.bat year distracted by the unfortunate guber natorial contest between the friends ol Wolf and Muhlenberg, a portion of the friends of Muhlenberg coalesced with the Whigs in fa vor of Alexander then a Muhlenberg man. but since United State* Marshal under General Taylor, and General Pjijkef wsa de feated. In 1836 he united with Kw" , Parke and Barret, in lha publication ol tub" Harriaborg Keystone. The paper iteeil is the best evidence of the eminent abilities of tho*e three gentlemen as editors. Thia connection continued untill 1841. Mr. Parke ia new en gaged in the practice of the law, and Mr. Barret,after a season of retirement from public life, has again made hia appearance in tbe editorial chair, and hia abilities will,no doubt, Insure him an appropriate reward. In 1838 General Packer distinguished himself by hia political tact and the power of bia eloquence aa a epaakar at the publio meetings of the people, ia advocating tbe election of David R. Porter, then the Democratic candidate for Governor. In 1838 he waa appointed Canal CemmiasioDer, in eonnaction with Hon. Jas. Clark* and Hon. E. B. Hubley, sod continued to discharge with unsurpassed abiliW the' 'highly responsible and difficult duties otshat' office, until the month of February, 1842: a period of three yaare. In May, 1843, Go*. Packer received the appointment of Audito\ Guneral of the Commonwealth. He contin ued to discharge (he duties of this office until May, 1845, a period of two year*. Hia office gave t.im a seat in the Cabinet nf the Execu tive, and tbua called io'o action his know! edge of men, df measures, and of the diver sified interests of the Commonwealth. Hold ing jurisdiction over all tit* public accounts, (he large expenditures of -nnnv for public improvements, and the numerous difficult questions and complicated caret which arose for ailjuili-tation. called fpr the exercise of the soundest judgment; no mind, save ona enlightened by an extensive acquaint ance with common law*ajp.l equity princi ples, as well at with liurst™ules of the Com monwealth, could havedilcharged the duties of thia exalted station. Tlte settlement of tbe claims of the domesii creditors, with the other business of the office arising from the increased publio expcaliturea for improve ment and other purpos*. rendered the duties of the Auditor General Jar more burdensome titan they have been tifce, or had ever been before, at any pertodfn the history of the government. And disability displayed by General Packer, bis pefe'rt mastery of every question which arose, fid Hi* ire partiality in the discharge of bis hijh duties, in tbe set tlement of these qtiesiiffis,areacknowledged by men of aJI parties. It may with great trutb be said of General' Packer that lie is indebted to hia own indus try for the education an! knowledge be has acquired, and to his ojn merits for the dis tinction In which he has seamed. He is thoroughly deoiocramrtorfiri principles, and is always ready to devote his talents and his means to the suocess of those principles.— He is no empty talker ablut names and forms, following the substance and not lha shadow. Springing from the people, he ia always ready to do battle for iheir rights. Looking to them ■s the legitimate source of all political au thority, he i 9 ready to trgst them with every power consistent with representative govern ment. Aware of the pasture of the federal compact, antLof the unwillingness of the early statesmen of democracy to trust tha central government with any but a limited authority, he is ever ready to stand by the slate sovereignties in coufiiting the General Government strictly within these powers granted-Wy Via federal fcti k eim.H> ; Mai. of eminence in the party'tS which General Packer belongs, tnay occasionally differ io the application of prinwptes !o particular ca •es, but all the genuine Dem ocratic school, subscribe to the great funda mental doctrine of the party, that "the pow ers not delegated to the United Stales by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reverved to the States respectively, or to the people." Upon the steady support ol this prinuiple the permanently of the Union and the liberties of the people depend. Ev ery extension of territory, and every increase of tbe great sisterhood of nations, of which our glorious confederation is cotnpqred, is but a new demand upee the patriot for a vig ilant aod energetic support of the ancient, safe and chief principles of the Democratic party, a strict construction of Ike Federal Con dilution. So long as litis principle of con struction is adhered ip by oar publio author ities, and by those who cloth* tbem with power, the rights of the people and of the Stales, will be protected against tbe usurping tendencies of a great central government.— With this principle constantly before os, and with our public men able and willing to maintain it either in the legislative hall, or in the judicial forum, we can have no tears of nullification or consolidation; bat our great and glorious Union, standing as an illustrious example of the capacity of the people for self government, shall not only secure its own gteatnesa and perpetuity, but shall light all tha nations of the earth in their onward march to freedom. The Grape ia the East. The vineyard* of Syria abound in the most luscious grape* imaginable, of which there are different kiad; one called the walnut, takes its namo from ita size, "being as large as that fruit; another is the long grape, and another ia small aod round. There are oth er kinds beside_jwhtch it la necessary to mention. Ths English ho'-house grape, good it is, does not bear comparison with lbs Syrian grape. Tha quantity grown ia enormous. Did the Syrians-know how to make wine, Syria would soon become the wine mart ol tbe whole world. What are not used as grapes, the natives dry into rais ins, and the process is thus: The grapes are gathered in September, washed in a compo sition of lye, water aud oil, after which they ! •re spread on a mat to dry, and there they remain for about fortnight in tbe open son, bprHtkted once oi twice every few day* I with ill* composition; they are then gather ed aril ptfnTWreacka hair-cloth, and sold a* raisins. Some gftp** are make into a sort ol treacle, ctllnst— Qfh*i *^ 9 l ' l ® "fuse thereof it made into wrnva"" RAS*— •> , A PEACEABLE LlTE.—' The more quietly and peaceably we all get on, tha belter—the 4*?- ter for ourselves,-tke boost for our neighbors. .In nine oasee out of ten, tbe wiaeet cooree if, if a man cheat you, to quit dealing with him; if he be abueive, quit bia company; If he slander you, to teke care to live ao that no body will believe bim. OT No glaeaaa ere so bad for tk* eyesight aa (leave* *f brandy. ESSAY on LOAFERS, BT "NEMO NARO." The title of thia tnay appear strange to many persons, but we are treating of a queer '-class of persons famitiarily designated ae a tioafev, can be found, in the summer months, Waking hi* "wearied" limbe on the so f t side of a white ptne board; and in the winter mtvpth* lounging around the counters of stores, or nestling close to the stove, think ing of the necessity but impossibility ot hi# attendance in every place, #4 aH times, whtle be thinks it is absohnstv necesstry that he should attend to" everybody'# business ex cept bis own. These itHera inhabit stores, and by' their apparent drowsy state would be taken superficially aa uot to haviag the least idea of wbal ia passing around them, but tjiey are wide awake; they notice every gesture, every sale, every customer, anff cal culate the profits and advantages derived from the articles which STB bartered away. Loafers are divided into two classes. Ist Class—The person belonging to thia class you may think a great deal of; tbey may be particular friends; these are rather delicate to approach; still he ia a ''loafer," and should ba classified aa one. But, say you, it would be very imponant for me to consult a chosen friend of mine, oil