Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-09
Theg Centennial Ledger

Msnphis PvhErC LERqER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tiers 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 trauspiriRg. 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-
htical parties. For the first time since 1861
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch of Congress, and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing a bold and desperate
game fer 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
a President and Vice President. and in many
Of the States, as in Tennessee. elect a Cover
nor. cOnsressmen, 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 oolored, 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 az
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. L, will be a veal
full Of stirring events. an uDheaval and COM
minsling of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times.
and It's readers will see the daily history of
the world held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will DO presented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view Of the subject
nay suggest. The LEDGER is of the pooplo
and Tor the people. and in full sympathy with
the laboring and tax paying masses. Thai,
Judgment and their instructive conclusions
when ascertained will be accepted in prefer
once to the dictum of politicians or tbs wis.
dom Of statesmen. We hold to the old.
fashioned theory-that the people ara ,ho
soyereigns, and all ofice-hoIders public sar.
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful ns,.
Of duty within prescribed limits
and condemned for breach of trust or abus..
Of delegated powers In future, as in the
past. tho LEDGER will be a bold. independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
right. but ever ready to condemn up-
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
will be made during the present year
to correct abuses in public places, to bring
as strict and careful management a,
the peoples money as in a successful riyat. ;
business. To this end we shall cootjnu. 70
labor. urging economy aud reform a, sverv
point without positive injury to the
service.
Issues Of grave Importance will bo dooid.a
this year. Men and parties viii be mad. an6
annade' and Drecedents set up that will have
; great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. AS a nation of United
we have made great progress, but
We have preserved intact the prip-
'iplSs Of our ancient Constitution, is a ouOs-
lion yet to DO decided at the ballot-bOx.
We really govern ourselves or ar,
by party, win be better known
the voice of the people is heard Ds,t
1t will avail us little tina, wa hal
! Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson !,
he Government passes OnOe mere into the
lands of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be- found &.
'hOic' variety of original and selected mat.
or adapted to the general reader and the
amny circle, and it is needless to say thar
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
no't cultivated and refined. The several
departments Of the paper win be conducted
y experienced journalists who follow the
because they are in love with it.
nd Whs appreciate public tastes and public
disabilities. Tho LEDGE is Democratic. I'M,
min'ntly conservative. and is ever ready to
ave all sides and shades Of Opipio0 = ,.i,.
Tho editorials will be live and
but carefully C~onsiao-..