Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-08
Centennial Ledger

The proprietor Of the Daily and Weekly
Memphis PUBLIC LEDGER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a Iiv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilitiss 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 transpiriRg, as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented 70 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 on-
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 viii!
be nominated for the Presidency. and tn,
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
ablost 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 inaugura.sd with imposing ceremonies az
Philadelphia, on the Fourth of July. in the
presence of thousands of people from every
State in the Union and representative of tho
principal nations on earth. 1t will be a year
full Of stirring events, an upb eaval and com.
m~insling of the masses not to be- witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will k0sp abreast of the times.
and its readers will zee the daily history of
the world "hP'Id up to the mirror" The
latest news TT ON all quarters will be presented
in a conc. ensed 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 aud 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
sOv0reigns. and all ofice-holdors public SER
wants; to be rewarded only for a faith
formance 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
whom right, but ever ready to condemn un-
worthy men or measures. An. earnest en-
deavor will be made during TIE 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 the
public service.
Issues Of grave Importance will be- decided
this year. Men and parties will be- made and
unmade, and presidents 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 min
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
whom the voice of the people is heard next
November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into the.
hands of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be foup1, a
choice variety of original and selected mat
49,
ter adapted to the general reader and tho
family circle, and it is needless to say tina.
, nothing will appear to offend the taste Of thu
most cultivated and refined. Tho ssvo,,
departments of the paper viii be oondr
by experienced journalists who fob ow N,
profession because thoy are in 10, "a with i,
and who appreciate public tast, and r,h,,
''n'iOiliti''' Tho LHDaEa is Democratic. bu
0minontly conservative. AZ ID is ever ready +
awe all sides and 'hai los of opinion 4 1,t
~ Ane 'uiV" ials will bo live an,