Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-20
The Centennial Ledger

pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
srs upon the Centennial year of our National
existence with brighter prospects as q live
Democrats and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilitios for Publishing a newspaper and reach
q larger number Of readsrs than ever before.
The people 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 po-
Htical parties. For the first time since 1850
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the abIest 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. Oonusssmen, 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 eve ~
State in the Union and representatives Of III.
principal nations on earth. 1t will be a year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
minSlins of the masses net to be witnsss,d
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the time,
and its readers will SOC 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 dominant
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 laborinS and tax. paying masses. Tbei,
judgment and their instructive conclusis ~.
when asOertained will be accepted in pr .,.r-
snee to the diotum Of politicians or tb a wis
dom OF statesmen. We hold to t,e old
fashioned theOry-that the people ara N.
sovereigns, and all o~fice-holders y,ubic sor-
wants to be rewarded only for a faithful psr-
fOrmance Of duty within prose-, ibed limits.
and condemned for breach of trust or abuse
of delegated powers. in future. as in the
past. the LEDGER viii be a bold, independent
Democratic Journal. standing by its party
when right. bat ever ready to condemn un-
worthy men or measures. An earnest an.
dsavor 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 t.
labor. urging economy and reform at ev, ~
possible point without positive injury to the
public service.
Issues of grave Importance win be de oidod
this year. Men and parties will be NADIA and
unmAds. and precedents set up that win 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 prin-
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is a uues-
ZION yet to be decided at the ballot-box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or are
governed BY party. will be bottSr known
when the voice of the people is heard uexs
November. 1t will avail us little that We had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a Jackson if
the Government passes once mere into the
hands @ a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found a.
choice variety of original and selected mat
tor adapted to the general reader and the
family circle, and it is needless to say tina,
nothing will appear to offend the taste of : ho
most cultivated and refined. The sew sr.I
departments of the paper will be COM ,ro,.s
by experienced journalists who 3Or low ,ho
profession because they are in lOv with ii.
and who appreciate public ta4tss and public
senSibilitieS. The LEDGER is DEN, oOratio hn,
sminontly conservative, and is over rsadv ~
give all sides and shades of opinion a fair
hearing. The editorials will be Iivo and
pointed, but carefully oOnsidorato.