Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-08
The Centennial Ledger

Memphis PUBLIC LEDGER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tsrs upon the Centennial year of our National
existence withEbrightsr prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
ciitiss for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people arc aroused to tho Importance Of
the events now transporting, as well as those
thai 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-
litiCaI parties. For the first time since 1850
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
ment. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency. and the
people. in their sovereign capacity, will elect
q President and Vice President. and in many
of the States. as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
| . . .." A#.I ".
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. Ths 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 DO witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast Of tho times.
and its readers will see the daily history Of
the world held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will be presented
in 8 condensed form aud 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 aud tax paying masses. Their
Judgment and their instructive conclusions
when ascertained will bo accepted in prefer
ence to the dictum of politicians or tho wis
dom Of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned theOry-that the people are the
sovsreigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants, 10 be rewarded only for a faithful per-
Torrance of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach of trust or abuse
of delegated powers. In future. as in the
t past. the LEDGER will DO a bold, independent
Democratic journal. standing By its party
when right. but ever ready to condemn un-
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deavOr will be made during inc present year
4 to correct abuses in public places, to bring
. about as strict and careful management of
the peoples money as in a successful private
Q business. To this end we shall continue to
|, labor, urging economy and reform at every
. possible point without positive injury to the
: public service.
a Issues Of grave importance wi. be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and precedents set up that will have
d a great bearing upon the future political his
tory of the country. AS a nation Of United
Q States we have made great progress, but
whether We have preserved intact the prin-
ciplss of our ancient Constitution, is a quo9
ton yet to be decided at the ballot-br, y
Whether we really govern ourselves o.. ara
governed by party, will be better known
when the voice of the people is beard nox,
November. 1t will avail us little that va had
le a Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson n
the Government passes once mere into the
hands of a purely partisan and sectional
Of administration.
70 In our columns will always be found A
e choice variety Of original and selected mat
st ter adapted to the general reader and the
family circle, and it is needless to say that
: nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
most cultivated and refined. The several
4 departments of the paper win be conducted
v. BY experienced Journalists who follow Oh,
M ~ profession because they are in love with it,
ID and who appreciate public tastes and public
i "a sensibiitieS. The LEDoER is Democratic. bul
hn
ID eminently conservative. and is ever ready to
Of give all sides and shades of opinion a fail
Al hearing Tho editorials will DO live and
SSl pointed. but carefully oonsiderate.