Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-08
The Centennial Ledgert

4no Proprietor OF the Oally ana weekly
Memphis PUBLIO LEDGER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper on
tsrs upon the Centennial year of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a liv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than ct any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern fa
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 rOw transporting. as we'll 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 DO
litical parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control ouo(
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. 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 coIered. 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 tho
principal nations on earth. 1t will be a year
full of stirring events. an upheaval and com. J
m%ingling of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times.
and its readers will SEQ the daily history Of
the world held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters win be presented
in a condensed form and such DOMINANT
thereon as an intelligent view of the subject
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the peonlo
and for the people, and in full sympathy wit,
the labOring and tax paying masses. Their
judgment and their instructive conolus;,o,
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 tbs
SoVoreigns, and all ofice-holders public sor-
wants, to be rewarded only for a faitbfuI nor.
formance of duty within prescribed limit.
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 Marty
when right. but ever ready to ondemp M.
worthy men or measures. An earnest an.
deaVor will be made during the present year
to correct abuses in public PLACES. 70 hr;O.
about as strict and careful p-.anaQement Of
the peoples money as in a successful private
business. To this end we shall cOptinus to
labor urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to the
public service.
Issues of grave Importance will bo docidr5
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and presidents 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 prip-
CiplSs of our ancient Constitution. is a oues-
ton yot to be decided at the ballot-bor
Whether We really govern ourselves or .ro
governed BY party, will be better known
when the voice of the people is heard nsr,
November. 1t will avail US little that wa had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson :
the Government passes once mere into the
hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be foupd III
choice variety of original and selectod mai
'er adapted to the general reader and the
family circle and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend tho taste of tb,,
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments of the paper will bo cOnduoto6
by experienced journalists who follow tho
profession because they are in love with it.
and who appreciate public tastes and public
'0n'ibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu,
'min'ntly conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sides and shades of opinion a t.ir
hearing. The editor;oI. ,.,u