Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-05
The Centennial Iadgsr

Memphis PuBIro LEDeHH announces With
pleasure and oOnhdence that this papsr en-
upon the Centennial year Of our National
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
c%ilitiss for publishing q 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 ~ the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress-
being controlled respectively by opposite po-
ltical parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the ablest modern
nU. MU4|M
statesmen are playing o 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, Congressman. 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 the Union and representatives of the
principal nations on earth, It will be a year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and com.
mingling Of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDeER will keep abreast of the times,
and its readers will see the daily history os
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 manila
and for the people, and in full sympathy with
the labOrins and tax paying masses. Their
Judgment and their instructive conclusions
when ascertained will be accepted in prefer
enoe 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 abuso
Of delegated powers. In future, as in the
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, indspsndsnt
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn nm
worthy men or measures. An earnest an
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 dscidAd
this year. Men and parties will be made md
unmade. and presidents set up that viii, have
a great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. AS q nation of Upitsd
States we have made great progress. but
whether We have preserved intact the prin.
ciplsS Of our ancient OOnstitutiOn, is 4 ouos-.
ton yet to be decided at the bsllOt-bOx..
Whether we really govern ourselves or a, b.
governed by party. will be better knO, IN
when the voice of the people is heard 7 ,ext
November. It will avail us little that we. had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a Jaclxyon n
the Government passes once mere into the.
hands of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found n
choice variety of original and selected mat
tor adapted to the general reader and tho
family circle. and it is needless to say thai
nothing will appear to offend the taste of Il "a
most cultivate and refined. The several
departments of the paper will be conductod
OS experienced journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love with IT.
and who appreciate public tastes and public
SenSibilitieS. The LEDsHR is Democratic. but
0minsntly conservative, and is ever ready to.
give all sides and shades of opinion a fab
hearing, The editorials will bo live AZ i