Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-11
Centennial Ledger

Memphis PUBLIC LEDGER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tors upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as q live
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilitiss for publishing a newspaper and reach
q larger number of readers than evsr before.
The people are aroused to the Importance of
the events now transpiriAg, as we'll as those
that happened a 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-
htical parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control ono
branch of Congress, and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing a bold ana desperate
game fer the political control of the Govern
msnt. Within the year two candidates will
DO nominated for tho Presidency. and the
people. in their sovereign capacity. will elect
. President and Vice President. and in many
of the States, as in Tennessee. elect a 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. win desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week of what is going
on. The Centennial Of our Independence win
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. 1, will be a year
full of stirring events, an upheayal and COM
mingling of the masses not to be- witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times.
and It's readers will see the daily history Of
the world held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will DO presented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view Of the subject
may suggest. The LEDGER is of tho. people
and for the people, and in full sympathy With
the labOring 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 thsory-that the people are the
Soversigns. and all o~fice-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
E"
when right. but ever ready to condemn nm
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deavOr win be made during tho present year
to correct abuses in public places, to bring
about as strict and careful manasew ont of
the peoples money as in a successful private
business. To this end we shall continue %
labor. urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to tho
public service.
Issues Of grave Importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will DO made and
unmade, and precodents SGT up that will have
a great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. As a natisn of United
States we have made great progress, but
whether We have preserved intact the prin-
ciples of our ancient Constitution. is a ques-
ton yet to be decided at the balIOt-bOx.
Whether we really govern ourselves or are
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 II
the Government passes once mere into the
hands Of a purely partisan and sscti1
administration.
In our columns will always be
choice variety Of original and SCI
tor adapted to the general ~ - a..
family circle. and it IS need .., 20 - ~.
nothing will appear to OSS nd III. ,a,t. Of n,
most cultivated and refined. The ,.vs,.l
0'OAF'A'atS Of the PAPER will be conducted
'~'Peri>ncsd jov rnAlists who follow the
Sf0t''HiOn because they are in love with it.
End who s,OpreciA to public tastes and public
ssnsibiDtios. The LEDGER is Democratic. but
eminO atty conservative. and Is ever ready to
give all sides and shades Of opinion fair
AO'lrinE. The editorials will DO live aud
pointed. but carefully considorats.
Much SPACE will be davota5 % Ioo.,