Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-26
The Centennial Ledger


Memphis PUBLIC LRDsER announces with
and confidence that this paper en-
upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a liV
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
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 transpirlng. as well 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 pO-
parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control on7
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 tn,
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 goins
on. The Centennial of our Independence will
be inaugura.ed with imposing ceremonies a,
Philadelphia, on the Fourth of July, in the
presence of thousands of people from eye-y
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
mingling of the masses not 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 mirror" Thu
latest news from all quarters will be rresentea
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view of the subjsct
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 ~tbeOry-that the people are tho
sovereigns, and all O~hice-holders public scr
wants. to be rewarded only for a faith
formance Of duty within prescribe /.
and condemned for breach of trus
of delegated powers. In future. as
past, the LEDGER will be a bold, indenendsn
Democratic journal, standing by its marty
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
tne 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 thu
public service.
Issues of grave Importance will be deoided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade, and presidents set up that will bavs
a great bearing upon the future political bia-
tory Of the country. As a nation of Unitea
States we have made great progress. but
whether we have preserved intact the prin-
cipl0s of our ancient Constitution, is a ones.
ton yet to be decided at the ballot.box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or ara
governed By party. will DO better known
whom the voice of the people is heard next
November. 1t will avail us little that We had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into ~.
hands Of a purely partisan and s1o,;or.i
administration.
In our columns will alW ays be found ,
eSaAAA ~
choice variety Of original and selected mat.
tor adapted to che general reader and N.
family circle, and it is needless to saw thu,
nothing will appear to offend the taste of N.
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments of the paper will be -cOpduct.d
BY experienced journalists who follow tn.
profession because they are in love with :,
and who appreciate public tastes and D0blio
'en'ibilitioS. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu.
0minentiy conservative. and is ever rOady tn
give all sides and shades of opinion . fair
nearing The editorials will be live and
pointed, but carefully cOnsidorAto.