Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-10
The Centennial Ledger


Democrats and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilitiss for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number Of readers than evsr before.
The people are aroused to the importance of
the events now transpiring. as well 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-
iticAI parties. For the first time since 1850
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress, and the ablsst 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
a President and Vice President. and in many
Of the States. as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor. Congrossmen. members Of the General
Assembly and important local officers. The
Ablest talent of tho nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen, white
and cOlered. will desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week of what isgOing
on. The Centennial Of our Independence will
DO 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
minslinG 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 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 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 ore the
sovsreigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants, TO DO rewarded only for a faithful per-
formance of duty within prescribed limits,
y and condemned for breach Of trust or abuse
Of delegated powers. In future, as in the
past. the LEDGER win be a bold. independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right. but ever 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 q successful private
) business. To this end we shall continue to
labor. urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to y /,
public service.
Issues Of grave Importance will be d ecide,
this year. Men and parties will be 10 ade an,
unmade. and precedents set up that will hav
a great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. AS a natie,n of Unite
States we have made great progress, bu
whether we have preserved intact the prin
ciplOS of our ancient Constitution, is a ques
ton yet to be decided at the baltbt-box
Whether we really govern ourselves or ar
governed By party. will be bettor know
when the voice Of the people is beard mex
% November. It will avail us little that we ha,
a Washington, a Jefferson and a Jackson /
the Government passes once mere into tn
hands of a purely partisan and sectiOpa
administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety of original and selected mat
tor adapted to the general reader and III
family circle. and it is needless to say tina
nothing will appear to offend the taste of th
most cultivated and refined. The seyora
departments of the paper will be conducts
BY experienced journalists who follow tn
profession because they are in love with n
o. and who appreciate public tastos and publ
SenSibilities. The LEDOER is Democratic, bu
eminsntly conservative. and is ever ready l.
give all sides aud shades of opinion a fsi
IN hearing. Tho editorials will be live an,
IT,
pointed. but carefully OOnsiderato.
Much space will be devoted to local now
inc and topics. Full and accurate river an,
market reports will be given each day. Az,
it will be our constant aim to give the latos