Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-18
The Centennial Ledger

The proprietor of the Daily and Weekly
Memphis PuBLIc LEBsER announces With
pleasure and confidence that this paper on
tors upon the Centennial year of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a liV
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
Wo are supplied with the best modern ia
C~iIities for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number Of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the Importance OF
the events now transporting. as we'll as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented to the country
of tho 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 ona
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 viii,
be nominated for the Presidency. and tn;
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. Congressmen. members of the General
Assembly and important local officers. The
abIest talent of the nation will be arrayed Cd
both sides. Every intelligent citizen, white
and colered, will desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week of what is going
on. The Centennial Of our independence viii.
be inaugura.ed with imposing ceremonies at
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 earthl 1t viii be a year
full of stirring events, an upheaval and COM
mingling of the masses not to be Witnessed
N again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast Of tho times,
and its readers will see the daily history Of
the world held up to the mirror" Tho
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
tho laboring and tax paying masses. Their
judgment and their instructive conclusions
IL. when ascertained will be accepted in prefer
ence to the dictum of politicians or the wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old.
fashioned th%eory-that the people are the
sovsreigns. and all ofice-hOlders public ser.
Y wants, to be rewarded only for a faith
Torrance Of duty within prescribe t
-. and condemned for breach Of trus
of delegated powers. In future, as
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, indeUenden
Democratic journal, standing by its part
Ec when right. but ever ready to condemn un
worthy men or measures. Al earnest en-
deavor will be made during the present yea
to correct abuses in public places. TO brin
about as strict and careful management Z
the peoples money as in a successful privat
business. To this end We shall continue
labor. urging economy and reform at ever
s, possible point without positive injury to Ii
public service.
ID Issues of grave importance will be decide
this year. Men and parties will be made an
unmade, and precedents set up that will ha'
a great bearing upon the future political hi
tory Of the country. Al q nation Of Unit
States We have made great progress, b
whether we have preserved intact the pri
ciplss of our ancient Constitution, is a que
'UO' ton yot to be decided at the ballot-bO
Whether we really govern ourselves or a
governed by party. will be bettor know
when the voice of the people is heard ne
November. 1t will avail us little that W, /
a Washington, a Jefferson and a Js cksol
. the Government passes once mero into
hands Of a purely partisan and sectio
administration.
Ia our columns will alW ays be found
choice variety of original and selected N
ter adapted to the general reader and
family circle, and it is needless to say I
res nothing will appear to offend the taste of
most cultivated and refined. The sew
departments Of the paper will be- conduc
by experienced journalists who follow
profession because they are in love with
and who appreciate public tastes and pa
sensibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic,
eiainently conservative, and is ever read.
mo give all sides and shades of opinion a
hearing, The editorials will be- live