Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-02-23
The Centennial Ledger

tors upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects, as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.
We are applied with the best modern ia
cilities for Publishing a newspaper and reach
a Larger number Of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the importan,e Of
the events now trauspirlng. as we'll as those
nat happened a hundred years ago. Tho
unusual spectacle ia presented to the country
Of the upper and lower Houses m Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite DO
htioal parties. For tho frst 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
DO noninstse 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 Cover
nor. cOnEressmsn. 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 cOlorsd. will desire to be informed from
day 70 day and week to week of what iseoing
on. The Centennial Of our Independence will
be i%naueurated 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 tho
principal nations on earth. Il will DO a year
full Of stirring events, an uphoaval and CON-
minSlins Of the masses not TO be- witnessed
again for & life time.
Tho LEDGER will keep abreast Of tha time,
and he readers will see the daily history of
tho world held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will bo presented
in a condensed form and such comment
.|.H
thereon as an intelligent view OF the subject
may suggest. The LEDGER is of tho peopse
and for the people, and in full sympathy with
the lAbOrins and tax paying masses. Their
Judgment and their instructive conclusions
when SSCertained will be accepted in prefer.
enee To the diotum Of politicians or the Wis
dom Of statesmen. We hold TO the old-
fashioned t~heOry-thst the people arc the
sovereigns, and all Ofice-holdsrs public ser
wants. to be rewarded only for q faithful per
fOrmSnoo 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 q 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 mopsy 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
unmade. and precedents set up that will have
. great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. AS q nation Of United
States We have made great progress, but
whether We have preserved intact the priu-
eiplsa Of our ancient Constitution, is a uuss-
tion yet to be decided at the bal!ot.boI.
Whether We really govern ourselves or are
governed By party, will be better known
whom the voice Of tho people is heard next
November. 1t viii avail us littleahat we had
a Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson If
the Government passes once mere into the
hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be four.d
choice varist? Of original and selected mat
ter Sdsptsd to the general reader and the
tsnily circle. and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
most cultivated and refined. Tho several
departments Of the paper will be ~conducteL
By experienced journalists who follow tho
profession because they are in love with It.
and who appreciate public tastea and public
ssnsibihtes. The LEDsER ia Democratic. but
eninsutly conservative. and Ia ever ready to
give all sides apd shades of opinion a fair
hearing. The editorials will be live and
pointed. but c~srefulS oOnsldsrato.
Much 'pSCewfl DO devoted to local new.
and topics. Fuu and accurate river aud
mSskstropOrta will DO given each day. And