Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-01
The Centennial Ledger

"a"
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper thar 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 transpirins, as wen 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-
itical parties. For the first time since 1850
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
ment. 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 q 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 oOlOred. will desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week Of what is going
on. ThelCentennial of our Independence will
be inausuratsd 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
m~insling of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDsHR 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 labOrins 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 are thu
sOvsreignS. and all oface-hOldera 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 DO bold, Independent
Democratic journal. standing by its party
when right. but ever ready to condemn un.
worthy men or measures. An earnest on.
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 privs, "a
business. To this end we shall cOntinu 20
labor urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injur , to The
public service.
Issues Of grave importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will b.. made and
unmads. and preosdsnts set up tn at will hay,
a great bearing upon the future political his.
tory Of the country. AS a nsAion Of Unitet
States We have made great progress, but
whether We Dave preserved intact the prin.
Olpiss o bur ancient Constitution. is a ques.
7 uOS yet TO be decided at the ballot-box.
Whether We really govern ourselves or are
/ governed by party. will be- better known
. when the voice Of the people is heard mex
: November. 1t will avail us little that We had
a Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson 4
the Government passes once mere into the
\ hands Of a parOly partisan and sectional
I administration.
> In our columns will always be found a
choice variety Of original and selected mat.
!: tor adapted to the general reader and the
2 family circle. and it is needless to say that
u nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments Of the paper will be conducted
BY experienced Journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love with it;
and who appreciate public tastes and public
, SenEbilities. The LEDGER is Democratic,
{ eminontly conservative. and is ever n a..
give all sides and shades of Opin, ~ . g.,
b hearing, Tha editorioIa lin
WA 90 live an
+ pointed but carefully oousiS .,,..
Much space viii be devoted to local nov
''1 '0D'''' Full Snd accurate river an
market reports Viii be- eiv.D 0.,h d..