Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-10
The Centennial Ledger

and confidence that this paper en-
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
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 tranSpiring. as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented h 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 a bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
mont. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency. and the
people. in their sovereign capacity. will elect
q President and Vice President, and in many
Of the States. as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
uar Onn.uaa-.n unukn,. a. H.
Assembly and important local officers. The
sblest 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
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 will 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 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 theory-that the people are the,
sovereigns, 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 a 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 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 win be decided
this year. Men and parties will be Wade and
unmade, and precedens set up that will have
a great bearing upon the futurG political his
tory of the country. AS a nation of United
States we have made Ereat progress, but
whether we have preserved intact the prin-
ciplOs Of our ancient Constitution. ia 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
t when the voice of the people is heard next
; November. 1t will avail US little that we had
: a Washington, a Jefferson and a Jackson If
the Government passes once mere into thu.
hands Of a purely partisan and soctir ma
administration.
I In our columns will always be fouud q
g choice variety of original and Sc ,ected mat
: ter adapted to the general re .ader and III,
! family circle, and itis neeS less to say tina
! nothing will appear to of, md the taste of IN
: most cultivated and refined. The sovsra
departments Of the , .aper will be conducts
by experienced 10 urnalists who follow tn
profession bse'' use thoy arc in love with it
and who app rebate public tastes and publ
ssn'ihuie .eS. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu
d onih' .ntly conservative. and is ever ready b
n G" Q all sides and shades Of opinion q fai
hearing. The editorials will DO live an,
= pointed. but carefully cOnsiderate.