Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-26
The Centennial Ledger

and confidence that this paper en-
upon the Centennial year of our National
With brighter prospects as a liv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the bost modern ia
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 ~transpiring. as we'll as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
spectacle is presented 10 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 a bold and desperate
game for the political control Of the Govern
msnt. 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 arrayod 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 gOine
on. The Centennial of our independence will
be inaugura.ed with imposing ceremonies at
Philadelphia, on the Fourth of July, in tho
presence Of thousands Of people from every
State in the Union and representatives of thu
principal nations on earth. 1t will DO a year
full of stirring events, an upheaval and SOM
mingling Of the masses not to be witnessed
again for q life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times,
and its readers will see the daily history Of
the world held up to tho 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 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 the
sovsreigns, and all ~ofice-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faith
Torrance of duty within prescribe t,
and condemned for breach Of trus
Of delegated powers. In future, as
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, independen
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn nm
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deavor will be made during tho present year
to correct abuses in public places, to bring
about as strict and careful MANAGEMENT of
the peoples money as in a successful private
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
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmado. and preCedents set up that will have
a 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 pr;n.
ciplOs of our ancient Constitution, is a oues.
ton yet to be decided at the banot-box.
Whether We really govern ourselves or ar,
governed by party, will DO 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
the Government passes once mere into IN,
hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found n
choice variety Of original and selected mo,.
ter adapted to the general reader and the
family circle. and 1t is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the tasto Of IN,
most cultivated and refined, The sevs .,
departments of the paper will be conducted
BY experienced journalists who follow til,
profession because they are in love with II
and who appreciate public tastes and pub,,,
sensibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu,
'minontly conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sides and shades of opinion a fai,
hearing. The editorials will DO live and
pointed, but carefully considorato.
Much space will be devoted to local new.
and topics. Full and accurate ri,., 49,,