Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-01
OUR ANNIVERSARY.

OUR ANNIVERSARY.
Five years Within that cycle how
many changes have been wrought, how
many hopes have withered, how many
expectations blastedl 1t seems a brief
period Of time, but has been filed with
the most wonderful and important events
not the least of which are transporting
now. Our country emerged from a civil
war, the magnitude of which was never
equalled, and by the command OF the
conquerors our people we're stripped OF
hundreds of millions of property; and to
feed base revenge, as well as strength
en- themselves in political power and
governmental rule, they not only IN
vested our slaves with freedom, but with
every privilege Of citizenship, while their
masters were DISTINGUISHED, and denied
every political privilege. A good time
is coming, let us hope, when once more
our Government, purged of the corrup-
ton by which it is polluted, will be
guided by wise and patriotic counsels,
and the country speed on in that race
for prosperity in which it was for long
unparalleled.
Five years ago the PUBLIC LEDGER
was commenced as mere experiment
not, indeed, with the expectation OF
growing great or becoming profitable,
but as a mere adjunct Of the job estab-
lishment which had been in successful
operation for some time. But changes
have been going on that were unfore-
seen, and the little newspaper that was
not regarded Of any consequence has
won its way into popular favor until 1t
bids fair to overshadow in Importance
and interest the establishment in which
it was of very little consideration. All
though
'.on their own merits modest men are dumb,
we may be permitted to congratulate
ourselves slightly on the anniversary OF
our natal day, and express the pride we
feel at the success which has crowned
orr labors. The handsome sheet we
now give to our patrons is the result oil
close attention, promptness and regu-
larity-of due regard for the interests
Of our people, and the exercise of every
effort TO promote them In point OF cir
circulation we may well challenge COM
petition froea our morning contemporaries,
and. being the only afternoon journal,
large quantities are sent off ON every
train leaving the city. The intensely
interesting news from Europe first finds
lis channel through our columns, the
kilograms by the cable closing at an
early hour. This gives us an advantage
in that respect over the morning papers,
Il we are restricted as to the time in
gathering the details We wish to draw
no invidious distinctions, or exceed the
bounds of true and proper journalism.
We presep. the LEDGER to-day in an
enlarged and improved form. 1t is not
a niece of bravado, but necessary con
seouence Of increased business re-
o,;r;ng increased facilities. As hereto
fire il will continue to study and adj
vance the interests Of our people.
Earnest and steadfast in its Democracy
lie hest energies shall be used for the
restoration Of constitutional liberty
and the extirpation Of every excres-
cence that has fastened upon the
shin of State to impede its progress
and impair its soundness. The news
and miscellaneous compilations will al
WAYS he found fresh and interesting.
The river and commercial departments
receive especial and close attention and
will. vie with any competitor in correct
ness aud vigilance Local affairs receive
the most particular consideration ana
are carefully weighed before given pub
l;citv no effort being made to create
sensation BY exaggerating or extenua'-
~. circumstances. In our own way, we
think the LEDGER quite a model news
naper. and shall spare no effort to merit
~, H. extensive patronage it enjoys. To
dar we enter upon our sixth year, with
dr1ms beating and colors flying. The
;mproved appearance of the paper, bet
ter than words, will explain the gratitude
10 experience for the many favors re-
ce;ved from the public.