Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-31
The Centennial Ledger

ANY, bEvlfhetoE VI tuo OoAH $40 "S~AS
Memphis PUBLIC LEBeHR announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tiers upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence withHbrishtsr prospects as a liV
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern fa
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 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 one
branch Of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing q bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
msnt. Within the Sear two candidates will
DO nominated for the Presidency. and the
people. in their sovereign capacity. will elect
q President and Vice President. and in many
.L-H.L
of the States. as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor, Congressmen, members Of the General
Assembly and important local eaicers. The
sblest talent of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen. white
and cOlered. 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 inaugurated with imposing ceremonies at
Philadelphia, on the Fourth of July. in tho
presence Of thousands Of people from every
State in the UniSn and representatives of the
principal nations on earth. 1t will be a year
full of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
minsling 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-thst the people are the
sOVsreigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
formance of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach of trust or abuse
Of delegated powers. In future, as in the
past. the LEDGER will be 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 tho present year
to correct abuses in public places, to bring
about as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money IS 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 deoide
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 prip-
ciplOs Of our sncient Constitution, is a oues-
ton yet to be decided at the ballot.box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or are
governed by party, will be better known
when the voice of the people is heard next
November. It will avail us little that we had
a Washington. a Jefferson and a Jackson IL
the Government passes once mere into the
hands of a purely partisan md sectional
administration,
In our columns will always be found
choice variety Of original and selected ID a..
ter adapted to the general reader and III,
family circle. and it is needless to 50 y tb.,
nothing win appear to offend. the ca, ste of tx
most cultivated and refined. The sovOraI
departments Of the paper will be conducted
BY experienced Journalists WHO follow the
profession because they are in love with it,
and who appreciate public talItes and public
Sonsibilitiss. The LEDuER is Democratic. but
eninontly conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sides and shades of opinion a fair
hearing. The editorials will be- live and
.u