Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-17
The Centennial Ledger

pleasure aud confidence that this paper en-
ters 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 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 to the Importance Of
the events now transporting. as we'll 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 Do
litical 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
nent. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated 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 Cove
nor, Congressman, members of the General
Assembly and important local officers. The
ablest talent Of the nation will DO 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 inauVurated 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 DO a year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
mingling Of the masses not to be witnesssa
again Cor a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of tho Tina.
and its readers will see the daily bistorv ~
tho world held up to the mirror" Tho
latest news from all quarters will be pressnted
in a condensed form and such compent
thereon as an intelligent view of the subject
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the peopla
and for the people. and in full sympathy wifi,
the laboring and tax. paying masses. II ,o,,
Judgment and their instructive concl ,,s;or.
when asc~ertained will be accepted in r,oe..
ence to the dictum of politicians mr. tbs vie
dom OF statesmen. We hold to the old.
fashioned theOry-that the peeple aro ,bo
SoVereiSns, and all Of~ics-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
fOrmanCs of duty within prescribed limit.
ana condemned for breach of trust or abuse
OF delegated powers. In future, as in the
past. the LEDGER will DO a bold, independsnt
Democratic journal. standing By its Marty
when right. but ever ready to condemn nm.
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deayOr will be made during the present voo,
to correct abuses in public places, to br;rn
about as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money as in a successIu D,ivoto
business. To this end We shall o~optipuo 10
iaOor' 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
8 great bearing upon the future political his
tory OF the country. AS a nation of United
States we have made great progress but
whether we have preserved intact the prin-
ciplSs of our ancient Constitution, is a cues.
ton yet to be decided at the oallot.box.
Whether We really govern ourselves or are
governed by party. will DO better known
when the voice of the people is heard next
November. It will avail US little that we had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson If
the Government passes Onco mere into the
hands Of A'purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found a
choice variety of original and selected mat
ter adapted to the general reader and the
family circle. and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
most cultivated and refined. The severe,
I departments Of the paper will be condy. otod
by experienced journalists who follow tba
profession because they are in rovo with it.
and who appreciate public ts,tss and public
ssnEihilitieS. The LRDoER is Democratic. but
ominsntly conservative, and is ever ready to
give all sidos and shades Of opinion a fair
hearing. The editorials will be live and
pointed. but carefully cOnsiderats.
Much space win Aa dsvotsd % ioo,