Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-12
The Centennial Ledger

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 over before.
ThepeOple are aroused to the Importance Of
the events now transpiring. 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,
being controlled respectively BY opposite no.
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
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 a Cove
nor COngressmen. 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 inauSurated 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 DO Witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the tims,.
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 peoplo
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 tho old.
fashioned theory-that the people are the,
sOvereignS. and all Ofice-hOlders public SER
wants, to be rewarded only for a faithful mar.
formance Of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach of trust or abus,
of delegated powers. In future, as in tba
nv
past. the LEDGER will DO a bold, independent
Democratic Journal, standing by its partv
when right, but ever ready to condemn nm.
worthy men or measures. An earnest an.
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 private
business. To this end we shall continue to
labor, urging economy and reform at eve, .
possible point without positive injury r., ,bo
public service.
Issues of grave Importance will b., dsOidod
this year. Men and parties will lse mads and
unmade, and precedents set up that will have
a great bearing upon the future political his
tory of the country. As a nation of Unitod
States we have made great progress, but
whether wo have preserved intact the prin-
ciplss of our ancient Constitution. is a oues.
ton yet to be decided at the ballot.box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or arc.
governed by party. will be better known
when the voice of the people is heard next
November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson If
the Government passes once mere into tho
hands of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety of original and selected m0t-
ter adapted to the general reader and ,bo.
family circle, and it is needless to say tbo,
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the.
most cultivated and refined. The several,
departments Of the paper will be conduotodl
oy experienced journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love with IL,
and who appreciate public tastes and publi,
sensibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic.
sminently conservative. and is ever res DIV 70
give all sides and shades of opinion CT,
hearing The editorials will be y,iv0 and
pointed, but carefully considerable.
Much space will be devoted to local nav,
and topics. Full and aocura' 20 river and
market reports will be zivOn . aob dav. And