Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-04
The Centennial Ledger

existence with brighter prospects as q liV
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.
Tho people are aroused to the importance OF
the events now transporting. 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-
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.
ment. Within the year two candidates will.
be nominated for the Presidency, and tn,
people. in their sovereign capacity, will elect
a President and Vice President, and in mapy
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 isgoine
on. The Centennial of our independence will
be inaugura.ed with imposing ceremonies al
Philadelphia, on the Fourth of July, in the
presence of thousands of people from eyorv
State in the Union and representatives of thu
principal nations on Garth. 1t will be a year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and SOM.
m~ingling 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 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 dictum of politicians or the wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned th%eOry-that the people are the
sOvSreigns, and all ofico-holders public SER
wants, to be rewarded only for a faith
fOrmanco of duty within prescribe t,
and condemned for breach of trus
of delegated powers. In future, as
past. the LEDGER will DO a bold, indppcnden
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.
Issues of grave Importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade, and precodents set up that will have
a great bearing upon the future political his.
tory Of the country. As a nation Of United
States we nave 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 are
governed by party. will be better known
whom the voice of the people is heard next
November. 1t will avail us little that wo had
a Washington, a Jefferson M a jackson
the Government passes once mere into the
hands of 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 that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments Of the paper will be condpotsa
by experienced journalists who follow tho
profession because they are in love with it.
and who appreciate public tastes and public
sensibilitieS. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu,
aminontly conservative, and is ever ready to
give all sides and shades of opinion a fair
hearing. The editorials will be live and
pointed. but carefully considorato.
Much space will be devoted to local new,
and topics. Full and accurate river ane
mark reports will DO given each dov A.