Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-18
The Centennial Ledger

AANs~NN~
Democrats and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
ciuass for publshinga newspaper andreaoh
ehrSsr number Of readers than ever before.
The people arc aroused to tho Importance of
the events now transpiring, as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle Is presented ~ the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
bang controlled respectively BY opposite pO-
ntical parties. For the first time since 1850
TIE Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing q bold and desperate
game for the political control Of the Govern
nsnt. Within thsyear two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency, and the
people. in their sovereign capacity, will elect
q President and Vice President. and in many
Of the States. as in Tennessee. elect Cover
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
be inaugurated 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 earth. 1t will be 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 laborins and tax paying masses. Their
Judgment and their instructive conclusions
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 theOry-that the people are the
sovSreigns. and all Ofice-holders public SER
wants, TO be rewarded only for a faithful per-
formance of duty within prescribed limits,
> 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 I'M
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deavOr will be made during the present year
TO correct abuses in public places, to bring
about as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money as in a successful private
!, business. To this end we shall continue 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 and parties will be made and
unmsde, and precedents set up that will have
. great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. As a nation of United
States we have mado great progress, but
whether we have preserved intact the prip.
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution. is a ques.
ton yst to be decided at the ballot.box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or are
governed by party. will DO better known
when the voice Of the people is heard nexI
,, November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington, q Jefferson and a jackson 4
the Government passes once mere into the
hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
20 rFf4ttiu E4HtTi
, In our columns will always be found a
choice variety Of original and selected mat
tor adapted to the general reader and tn,
family circle, and 1t is needless to say thai
nothing will appear to offend the taste of tn,
most cultivated and refined. The severn
departments of the paper will DO conducte,
By experienced journalists who follow tn
profession because they are in love with II
p. and who appreciate public tastes and publ
ssnEibilities. The'LEDoEE is Democratic, bu
eminently conservative, and is ever ready /
~fwa Ill all. - 49,