Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-29
The Centennial Ledger

pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tors upon the Centennial year of our National
existence With brighter prospects as a HV
DemOcrstic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cililss 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 70 the country
of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite pO-
itioal 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
msnt. 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 Cove.
nor, Congressmen. 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 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 tho Union and representatives Of the
principal nations on earth. 1t will be a year
full Of stirring events, an upheaval and COM
mingling Of the masses net 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 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 t%heOry-that the people are the
Sovsreigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants, to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
-, iVihahVo VI uuty WAtulu pIohCIlDeu nmlLss
~ 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 on.
deavor will be made during the present yea
to correct abuses in public places, to brinI
about as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money as in a successful private
5 business. To this end we shall continue t
labor. urging economy and reform at ever!
possible point without positive injury to tn,
public service.
Issues of grave Importance will be decides
this year. Men and parties will be made an,
unmade, and preCedents set up that will hav
a great bearing upon the future political his
% tory Of the country. AS a nation of Unite
States we have made great progress. bu
whether we have preserved intact the priu
ciplOs of our ancient Constitution, is a ques
ton yet to be decided at the ballot-box
Whether we really govern ourselves or ar
governed by party. will DO better know
whom the voice of the people is heard ne,
~ November. 1t will avail US little that We ha
a Washington, a Jefferson and q Jackson
the Government passes once nero into tn
hands of a purely partisan and sections
administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety of original and selected Iaa
ter adapted to the general reader ana IL
family circle, and it is needless to say tbs
nothing will appear to offend tho taste of Il
most cultivated and refined. The sever,
departments Of the paper will be conduct,
By experienced journalists who follow u
profession because they are in love with !
ID. and who appreciate public tastes and publ
sensibilitieS. The LEDGER is Democratic, b,
sminOntly conservative. and is ever ready
give all sides and shades of opinion a fa
An hearing. The editorials will be live an
pointed. but carefully considerable.
Muah sneoa v,;u ho .