Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-11
The Centennial Ledger

HEhM
The proprietor Of the Daily and Weekly
Memphis PusLIo LEDGER announces with
and confidence that this paper en-
upon the Centennial year Of our National
ssistence withEbriehtor prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
ciIitiss for publishing q newspaper and reach
1 larger number Of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the importance of
the events now transpiring. as well as those
that happened q 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-
litical parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
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 will
DO 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 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 inaugurated 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
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 ommopt
|, 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
4 the laboring and tax paying masses. Their
; judgment and thoir 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
Q fashioned theOry-that the people are the
sOvsreigns, and all oHice-holders public SER
: wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
formance of duty within prescribed limits,
n and condemned for breach of trust or abuse
I of delegated powers. In future. as in the
= past. the LEDGER will be a 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
if about as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money as in successful private
le business. To this end we shall continue to
labor. urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to tho
public service.
Issues Of grave Importance will be decided
q this year. Men and parties will be made and
7. unmade. and presidents set up that will have
IN a great bearing upon the future political his
I'd tory Of the country. AS a nation of United
10 States we have made great progress, but
ID whether wo have preserved intact the prin-
Of cipl0s Of our ancient Constitution. is a ques-
al ton vet to be decided at the ballot-box.
"a Whether We really govern ourselves or are
Mt governed by party, will be better known
e; when the voice Of the people is heard next
he November. 1t will avail US little that we had
a Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson II
. the Government passes once mere into the
hands of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns win always be found a
choice variety Of original and selected mat.
q ter adapted to the general reader and tn,
! family circle. and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of tn,
: most cultivated and refined. The sevora
81 departments Of the paper will be conducted
= BY experienced journalists who follow tn,
" profession because they are in love with IL
lSo.. and who appreciate public tastes and publ,
sensibiities. The LEDGER is Democratic. buI
eminently conservative. and is ever ready 4,