Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-19
The Centennial Ledger

The proprietor Of the Daily and Weekly =
Memphis PUBLIC LEDsER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tors upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a lv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilities 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 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-
litical parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control On9
branch Of Congress, aud 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 tbs
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 officers. The
G 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
DO inaugura.ed with imposing ceremonies at
Philadelphia, on the Fourth of July. in the
/ presence of thousands Of people from every
State in the Union and representative of the
principal nations on earth, 1t will be a year
full of stirring events, an upheaval and com
mingling Of the masses not to be witnessed
N again for 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
X. 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 theory-that the people are the
sovSreigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faith
Torrance of duty within prescribe /,
-. and condemned for breach of trus
of delegated powers. In future. as
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, indie 0eaden
Democratic journal, standing by its part
re when right, but ever ready to condemn nm
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deavor will DO made during tho present yea
to correct abuses in public places. to brin
about as strict and careful management O
the peoples money as in a successful privat
business. To this end we shall continue t
labor, urging economy and reform at ever
pos ible point without positive injury to tn
public service.
~ Issues Of grave importance will be- decide
this year. Men and parties will be made an
unmade. and precedents set up that will hay
a great bearing upon the future political hi
tory of the country. AS a nation of Unite
States we have made great progress, b.
whether We have preserved intact the prir
ciples Of our ancient Constitution, is a que
ton yet to be decided at the ballot-bol
Whether We really govern ourselves or al
governed by party. will DO better know
when the voice Of the people is heard nc,
November. 1t will avail us little that We ha
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into Il
uno hands of a purely partisan and section
administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety Of original and selected ma
ter adapted to tho general reader and Il
family circle, and it is needless to say tn
[ES nothing will appear to offend the taste of I
most cultivated and refined. The sever
departments Of the paper will be conduct
by experienced journalists who follow t
profession because they are in love with