Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-07
The Centennial Ledger

Memphis PUBLIC LEDGER nj with
and confidence hat this paper en-
upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a liv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to tho Importance OF
the events now transpiring. as we'll as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
spectacle is presented to the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite DO
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 viii.
be nominated for the Presidency, and tn,
people. in their sovereign capacity. will cleo.
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 isgoing
on. The Centennial Of our independence will
be inaugura.ed with imposing ceremonies NJ
Philadelphia, on the Fourth Of July, in the
presence Of thousands of people from eye-y
State in the Union and representatives of thu
principal nations on earth. It will be a year
full Of stirring events, an upheavaI 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 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 vita
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 tho old
fashioned theOry-that the people are the
sovsroigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faith
Torrance of duty within prescribe t..
and condemned for breach of trus
Of delegated powers. In future, as
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, indeuenden
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 tho 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 DO 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 Unite
States we have made great progress, h.,
whether we have preserved intact the D,;,
ciplss of our ancient Constitution, il
ton got to be decided at the b allot.box
Whether wo really govern oursf ,lvos or mr.,
governed by party, will be- better know,
when the voice Of. the peoPI o is heard nav
November. 1t viii avail " little that we hac
a Washington a JoffessV q and a jackson
the GOvernTuent pR.sseF once mere into III,
binds Of a purely partisan and sectiona
administration,
In our columns will always be found a
choice variety Of original and selected mat.
ter adapted To the general reader and tn,
family circle. and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of tn,
most cultivated and refined. The severa.
departments of the paper will DO conducted
by experienced journalists who follow tn,
profession because they are in love with IA
and who appreciate public tastes and public
sOnsibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic. but
eminontly conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sidOs and shades of opinion a fair
hearing The editorials will be live and
POINTED. but carefully oonsiderate.