Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-02
The Centennial Ledger

eAntence "isnADkignter prospects as o hVe
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 70 tho impOrtanse Of
theevsnts now tranSpirias, 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 1880
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch of Congress, and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing q bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
ment. 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 e%ficers. The
ableSt talent Of the nation will be arrayed on
both sidoS. Every intelligent citizen, white
and cOlOred. will desire to be informed from
day 10 day and week to week of what issoing
on. The Centennial of our independence will
be inauSuratcd 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 tho
principal nations on earth. It will be a year
full Of stirring events, an upheaval and COM
minSling Of the masses not to be witnessed
again for q life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times, 4
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 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 diotum of politicians or the wis
dom Of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned th%eory-that the people are the
sOvereigns, and all ofice-holders public uer-
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
Torrance of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach Of trust or abuse
Of delegated W In future, as in the
past. the LEDGER will be q bold, independent
Democratic journal. standing by its party
when right. but ever ready to condemn un-
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
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 every
possible point without positive injury to the
public service.
IPaueS of grave importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade, and presidents set up that viii 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 ques-
ton yet TO be decided at the ballOt-box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or ara
governed by party, will be better known
when the voice Of the people is heard nost
November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a Jackson IL
tho Government passes Once mere into the
hands of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
Ia our coldmns will always be found 4
choice variety of original and selected mat
ter adapted to the general reader and The
family circle. and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments Of the paper will DO conducted
hY experienced Journalists who follow the,
profession because they are in love with il,
and who appreciate public tastes and public
SensibilitieS. The LHDaER is Democratic, buk
ominonIly conservative. and is ever ready 10
Uivs all sides and shades of opinion a fair
hearing. Tho editorials will be live and
pointed. but carefully cOnsidorate.
Much space will DO devoted to local news
and topics. Full and accurate rivsr and
market reports will be given each LAY. And