Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-26
The Centennial Ledger

existence WithAbrishter prospects as q i've
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
.%cilitiss for publishing 8 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 q 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-
litioal parties. For the first time since 1850
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing bold and desperate
game for 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 States. as in Tennessee. elect 3 Cove
nor. 0Ongressmen. members of the General
Assembly and important local eficsrs. The
ablsst talent of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen, white
and cOlOred, will desire to be informed from
day 70 day and week to week Of what is going
on. The Centennial Of our Independence win
be inausuratOd 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
mingling of the masses net 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 mirrof." The
latest news from all quarters will be presented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view of tho subject
L Am -.H ..
may suggest. The LEDGER is of tina people
and for the people, and in full sympathy with
the labOrins and tax. paying masses. Tbs air
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 pesple are thu
sOvereiSns, and all Ofice-hoIders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
fOrmancs of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach Of trust or abuss,
Of delegated powers. In future, as in the,
past the LEDGER will be bold, independent:
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right. but ever ready to condOmn 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 will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and precsdents 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,-
ciplos Of our ancient Constitution, is a sueD..
ton yet to be decided at the ballot-box..
Whether We really govern ourselves or are
governed by party. will DO better known,
whom the voice of the people. is heard next:
November, 1t will avail us little that we hadl
a Washington. a Jefferson and a Jackson If
the Government passes once more into the
hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found n
choice variety Of original and selected p,at..
tor adapted to the general reader and. the
family circle. and it is needless to sag that
nothing will appear to offend the tasbs. of the,
most cultivated and refined. The ~sevsrult
departments of the paper will be conducted,
by experienced journalists who follow the,
profession because they are in love with it..
and who appreciate public tastes and public
s'nHbiitlsS. The LEDGER is Democratic. but
ominontiy conservative. and Is ever ready to.
give all sides and shades of opinion a fair
hearing. The editorials will be- live and
pointed, but carefully cOnsidsrate.
Much space will DO devoted to local nOws
and topics. Full and accurate river and
market reports will DO given each day. An