Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-09
The Centennial Ledger

Va
Memphis PuBLIc LEDGER announces with
aud confidence that this paper en-
tors HPpR the Centennial year of our National
sIissspos wishHbrishtsr prospects as a Iv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
wsar supplied with the best modern ia
cilitiss for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused TO tho importance Of
the events noW ~transpiring, as well as those
that happened q hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented to the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite pO-
litical parties. For the first time since 1860
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
msnt. Within the year 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 a Cove
nor. Congressman. members of the General
Assembly and important local officers. The
ablest talent of the nation will be arrayed on
both sidss. 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 will
be inaugurated with imposing ceremonies at
Philadelphia. on the Fourth of July. in the
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
minslins 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
/. whom ascertained will be accepted in prefer
ence to the dietuEl 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 DO rewarded only for a faithful per-
formanoe of duty within prescribed limits.
, and condemned for breach of trust or abuse,
Of delegated powers. In future, as in tho
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right. but over ready to condemn un-
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 =
labor. urging economy and reform at en r.
possible point without positive injury tc tn
public service.
Issues Of grave importance will be I leoide,
this year. Men and parties will be NJ ado an,
unmade. and presidents set up thAa will bav
a great bearing upon the future political his
tory of the country. AS a na.tion of Unite,
States We have made great progress, bu
whether we have preserved intact the prin
ciplSs Of our ancient Constitution. ia a oueo
ton yet to be decided at the balIot-box
Whether we really govern ourselves or art
governed by party. will be better know,
when the voice Of the people is heard mex
. November. 1t will avail us little that We h.,
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into tn
hands of a purely partisan and s~ectiOoo
administration.
In our columns will always be found
= choice variety Of original and selected mat
tor adapted to the general reader and tn
family circle. and it is needless to say tia
nothing viii appear to offend the taste of tn
most cultivated and refined. The sevora
departments of the paper win be conducte,
by experienced Journalists who follow tn
profession because they are in love with it
D. and who appreciate public tastes and publ
ssnHibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic. blu
sminsntly conservative. and is ever ready L
give all sides and shades of opinion a f,i
hearing. The editorials will bo live an,