Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-28
The Centennial Ledger

Memphis PuBLIo LEDGER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-"
tiers 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 best modern ia
cilities for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused 70 the importance Of
the events now transporting, 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
bsing controlled respectively by opposite pO-
fitical parties. For the first time since 1850
the Democrats and Conservatives control ono
branch of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing q bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
ment. Within the year two candidates viii.
DO nominated for the Presidency, and tn,
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, 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. 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 inaugura.e ed with imposing ceremonies al
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
mingling 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 laboring and tar paying masses. Their
!, judgment and their instructive conclusions
e. 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 are thu
sOvereigns, and all ofice-holders pub, lie ser
u wants, to be rewarded only for a fifth
Torrance of duty within presO' ibe t
ar and condemned for breach of trus
of delegated powers. In future, as
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, indpuondep
Democratic journal, standing by its part,
~ when right. but ever ready to condemn nm
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deavOr will be made during the present yea
to correct abuses in public places, to brip,
about as strict and careful management o
the peoples money as in a successful privat,
business. To this end we shall continue Il
labor. urging economy and reform at ever,
/, pos .ible point without positive injury to tn
public service.
Issues of grave importance will be dec d,
this year. Men and parties will be- maS a q,
unmade. and precedents set up that Y III bo,
a great bearing upon the future POI itioal hi
tory Of the country. AS a matte 4 of limit
States we have made great progress, b
, whether we have preserved, Intact the uri
80 ciplss OF our ancient TJOnsti tuition, is a gu,
~ ton yet to be de- ,idOd at the ballot.bo
Whether we real Iy govern ourselves or a
So'efneu py party. will be better knov
when the ' dice of the people is heard nc
Noveme' +. It will avail us little that We b
d Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
~ the Government passes once mere into I
mo hands of a purely partisan and section
administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety of original and selected M
ter adapted to the general reader and
family circle, and it is needless to say IL
RS nothing will appear to offend the taste of
most cultivated and refined. The seye
departments of the paper will be conduo
by experienced, journalists who follow
profession bsrause they are in love with
y and who appreciate public tastes and pull
'ensibilitios. The LEDGER is Democratic.
eminently conservative. and is ever ready
ms give all sides and shades of opinion a (
hearing. The editorials will be live A
pointed. but carefully cOnsiderato.