Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-02
The 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 a liv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the bost modern fa
cilitiss for publishing a newspaper and roach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the impOrtanse ot
the events now transpirins. as well as tboso
that happened a hundred years aro. The
unusual spectacle is presented to the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress,
being controlled respectively by opposite no
htical parties. For the first time since 1881
the Democrats and Conservatives control on,
branch of Congress. and the ablest mOdero
statesmen are playing a bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern.
msnt. Within the year two candidates viii
DO nominated for the Presidency, and tn,
people. in their sovereign capacity, will cleo.
a President and Vice President, and in man
of the States. as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor. Congressman. members of the General
Assembly and important local officers. Tho
ablest talent of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen. wbits
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 inauEura.ed with imposing ceremonies at
Philadelphia. on the Fourth of July. in tina
presence of thousands of people from every
State in the Union and representatives of tn,
principal nations on earth. 1t will be a war
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 time,
and its readers will see the daily history If
the world held up to the mirror" Tbs
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 peopla
and for the people, and in full sympatbs with
the laboring and tax paying masses. Their
judgment and their instructive conclusions
whom 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 tho
soVsreigns, and all ofice-holders public ser.
wants. to be rewarded only for a faith
tOfmanCe of duty within prescribe
and condemned for breach of trus
of delegated powers. In future. rs
past the LEDGER will be a bold. indsUenden
Democratic journal, standing by ito marty
when right. but ever ready to condemn mn
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 nrivats
business. To this end we shall continue to
labor urging economy and reform at every
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
a great bearing upon the future political bis.
tory Of the country. As a nation of United
We have made great progress. but
whether we have preserved intact the prin-
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is a oues.
ton yet to be decided at tho ballot-box.
We really govern ourselves Or'aro
by party. will DO better known
when the voice of the people is heard next
November. 1t will avail us little that we had
Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
he Government passes once more into tho
hands Of a. purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be foups
'hOice variety Of original and selected NAT
'r adapted to the general roadsr and .b.
amily Circle and it is needless to saw tb..
i0'nins Will appear to OfeD d the taste of the.
most cultivated and refined. The sovora,
of the paper will DO conduote5.
y experienced Journalists who follow the
because they are in love with it
md who appreciate public tastes and public
enSibilitieS. The LEDGE is Democratic. bus
conservative. and is ever ready to
i've all sides and shades of opinion a fair
The editorials will DO I've ana
but carefully oOnsidorato.