Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-06
The Centennial Ledger

with brighter prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number Of readers thar ever before.
The people are aroused to the Importance of
the events now transporting. as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
spectacle is presented n the country
the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite pO-
litical parties. For the first time since 1850
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing a bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
ment. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency, and the
people, in their sovereign capacity, will elect
a President and Vice President. and in many
of the States. as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor. Congressman. members of the General
Assembly and important local officers. The
ablest talent Of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen, white
and colOred, will desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week of what is going
on. The Centennial of our Independence will
DO inaugurated with imposing ceremonies al
Philadelphia. on the Fourth of July, in tho
presence of thousands of people from every
State in the Union and representatives of the.
principal nations on earth. 1t will DO a year.
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
mingling of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times.
and its readers will see the daily history of
the world "held up to the mirror" The,
latest news from all quarters will be presented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view of the subject
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the people
and for the people, and in full sympathy with
the laboring aud tax paying masses. Their
judgment and their instructive conclusions
when ascertained will be accepted in prefer
ence to the dictum of politicians OF the wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned theOry-that tho people are thei
sOvereigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants, TO be rewarded only for a faithful DIR
Torrance of duty within prescribed limits.
W
and condemned for breach Of trust or abuse
Of delegated pOwers. In future. as in the
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn IN,
worthy men or measures. An earnest
deavor will be made during the present voar
to correct abuses in public places, 10 br;rs
about as strict and careful manS oomon, 90
the peoples money as in a sacc essful private
business. To this end We 81 al, o~ontipuo to
labor urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to the
public service.
Issues Of grave Importance will be decided
this year. Men glnd parties will be made and
unmade' and 9recedents set up that will have
a great OeayinE upon the future political his
Tory Oh pie country. AS q nation of United
states We have made great progress. but
whether We have preserved intact the prip-
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is a uues-
ton yet to be decided at the ballOt-box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or ara.
governed by party. will be better known
when the voice Of the people is heard next.
November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson If
the Government passes once mere into the.
hands Of a purely partisan and seotionaa
administration.
In our columns will always be found a
choice variety Of original and selected mat.
ter adapted to the general reader and the.
family circle, and ii is needless to say that
notnlng VIII appear TO offend the taste of the
most cultivated and refined, The several
departments of the paper will be conduned
BY experienced journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love with it.
and who appreciate public tastes and public.
sensibilitios. The LEDeER is Democratic. but
sminontly conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sides and shades of opinion a fair
hearing. The editorials will be live and
pointed. but carefully oOnsidsrate.
Much space will be devoted to local news
and topics. Full and accurate river and.
market reports will be given each day. And