Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-26
The Centennial Ledger

pleasure and-cOnhdsncs that this paper IN
ters upon the Centennial year Of our National
e~zistsnss with brighter prospects as e liv
Democrats and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
ciitiss 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 well as those
that happened q hundred years ago. Tho
unusual spectacle is presented 10 the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectivelyb by opposite pO-
Itical 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
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. 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. It 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 DO presented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view of the subject
g. 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
whom ascertained will be accepted in prefer
u ence to the dictum of politicians or the wis
dom Of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned theory-that the people are the
sovOreigns. and all ofice-hOlders public ser.
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful per.
Torrance of duty within prescribed limits,
and condemned for breach of trust or abus,
of delegated powers. In future. as in tn,
past. the LEDGER will be bold. Independent
Democratic journal, standing by its part,
when right. but ever ready to condemn un
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deavor will be made during the present yea
TO correct abuses in public places, to brin
Z about as strict and careful management O
the peoples money as in a successful privat
DIS business. To this end we shall continue t
labor. urging economy and reform at ever
possible point without positive injury to tn
public service.
Issues Of grave importance will be decide
this year. Men and parties will be made an
5, unmade, and presidents set up that will ha,
a great bearing upsn the future political hi
.Uo' tory Of the country. AS a nation of Unite
States we have made great progress. b,
whether we have preserved intact the pril
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is a que
ton yet TO be decided at the ballot-bo.
Whether we really govern ourselves or a
governed by party, will be- better know
when the voice of the people is heard ne
~ November. 1t will avail US little that we h.
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into t
hands Of a purely partisan and section
administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety of original and selected mi
ter adapted to the general reader and I
family circle, and it is needless to say tn
nothing will appear to offend the taste of
s. most cultivated and refined. The seve
departments of the paper will be conduct
by experienced Journalists who follow
profession because they are in love with
RDS. and who appreciate Duhlio t.,,., and NH
sensibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic.
eminOntly conservative. and is ever ready
give all sides and shades of opinion a +
DAD hearing The editorials will be live >
pointed. but carefully considorate.
Much space viii be aevoted N