Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-20
The Centennial Ledger

Memphis PUBLIC LEBeER announces with
pleasure and cOnaaenos that this paper en-
.terS upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family News.
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilAios for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number Of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the Importance Of
tho 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-
htioal parties. For the first time since 1850
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing q bold and desperate
game fer the political control of the Govern
ment. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency, and the
people. in their sovereign capacity, will elect
a President and Vice President. and in many
Of the State. IS in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor. oOnsressmen. members of the Gepsral
Assembly and important local ~sicers. The
ablest talent Of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen, white
and cOlored, viii desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week of what seOinr
on. The Centennial Of our independence will
be inaugurated 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 the
principal nations on earth. 1t win be a year
full of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
m~insling of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDsER will keep abreast Of the times.
and Its readers will see the daily history Of
the world "held up to the mirror" To-
latest news from all quarters will be prest nt.d
in a condensed form and such o,mmsr,
thereon as an intelligent view Of the subi.Ot
may suggest. The LEDoER is of the nso,,o
and for the people. and in full sympatby with
the laboring and tax-psyiD 9 masses. Their
judgment and their instructive oonolus;on,
when ascsrtained win be accepted in prefer.
ence to the dictum of politicians or the wis.
dom of Statesman. We hold to the old.
fashioned theory-that the people are ty.
sOvoreigns, and all Ofice-holders public ..,.
wants; TO be rewarded only for a faith n, mar.
! formance Of duty within prescrib,,d limits.
and condemned for breach of tn lst or abuss
Of delegated powers. In futy re-. ma in the
past the LEDGER will be b I'D, independent
Democratic journal, standing By It's party
whom right, but ever ~ ady to condemn un-
worthy men Or mea sures. An earnest On.
deavor will DO made during the present year
: to correct ehusel in public places, to bring
! ! about as strict and careful management Of
Z the poopIe's money as in a successful private
business. Tethis end we shall continue to
J, labor, urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to the
9 public service.
I Issues Of grave importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties VIII be made and
: unmade. and precedents 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 prin.
cipl0s Of our ancient Constitution, is a cues.
ton yet to be decided at the balIot.box.
Whether We really govern ourselves or ar,
governed By party, will DO bot or known
when the voice Of the people is heard mex
" November. 1t viii avail US little that We ha,
a Washington, a Jefferson and a Jackson |
the Government passes once N ere into II,
hands of a purely partisan and ~seCtiOna
Administration.
is In our columns will alRays be found 4
ID choice variety Of original and selected mat
r ter adapted to the general reader and Ii,
70 family circle, and it is needless to say thai
nothing win appear TO offend the taste Of tn,
most cultivated md refined. The severa
departments Of the paper will DO cOnductoc
d by experienced Journalists who follow tn,
y : profession because they are in love with it
and who appreciate public tastes and publ,
I. g 'on'ibiliti''. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu,
Mt Ominently conservative. and is ever ready
give all sides and shades of opinion a o,
hearing The editorials will bo live =,
Cd ro;D,.a h., ~