Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-03
Centennial Ledger

o. LL o.
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tors upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the beat modern ia
oilitiss for publishing q newspaper and reach
. larger number Of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the impOrtanss Of
the events now trauIpiriAs, as wsll as those
that happened q hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle Is presented to the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress-
bsins controlled respectively by opposite 20
litical parties. For the first time since 1seo
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the ablsst modern
statosmen arc playing a bold and desperate
game fer the political control Of the Govern
msns. Within the year two candidates viii
be nominated for the Presidency, and tho
people. In their sovereign capacity, will elect
a President and Vice President. and in many
Of the States. as In Tennessee. elect a Cover
nor. Congressman. members Of tho GenerSs I'd
ASSEMBLY and important local siacsrs. Ths
abIe't talent Of the nation will be- Arrayod on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen, Whit.
and OOlOred, will desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week Of what issOins
on. The Centennial of Our Independence WIN
be inAusnratsd with imposing ceremonies At
philadelphia. on the Fourth Of July. in the,
PF'''nco q thousands Of people from every
State intho Union and representative Oe tie
PRINCIPAL natiOns on Garth. 1t win be a year
full Of stirring events. an upheavaI and oOn-
minglins Of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
Tho lEDaER 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 DO presented
in a condensed form and such
thereon as an intelligent view Of tho ,ubiso.
may suggest. The LEDGE is Of the peopls
and fol the people, and In full sympathy with
the lAOorins and tax paying masses. Their
Judgment and their instructive conclusion,
when Ascertained will be accepted In prefer.
enco to the diCtum of politicians or the wis
dom Of statesmen. We hold 70 tho old
fashioned theOry-thst the people are tho
sOvereigns. and all o~fHce-holdsrs public ser.
wants. to be rewarded only for q faithful per
fOrmance of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach Of trust or abus
Of delegated powers. In future. as In ,ho
past, the LHDGRR will be bold. indspv od.n,
Democratic journal. standing BY y r.,,v
when right. but ever ready 60 COZ damn nm
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-.
deavOr will be made during u present YEA,
to correct abuses in public places. to brln,
about "a strict and Garrett management o.
the peoples noney as u a successful ivata
business. 10 this end We shall c~Ontioue TO
iA'Ot' urging economy and reform at ,yery
PEs'ibIe point without positive injury to ths
public service.
I'sues Of grave Importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and rreCsdents set up that will have
a great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. As q nation of United
States we have made great progress. but
whether we have preserved intact the prin.
Oiplos Of our ancient Constitution. is a quOs.
ton yet 10 be decided at 4he ballot.box
Whether We really govern ourselves or aro
governed By party. will DO better known
when the voice Of the people is heard next
November. 1t will avail us little that We had
a Washington, q Jefferson and a jackson II
the Government passes once mere into the
hands Of q purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found a
choice variety Of original and selected mat.
tor adapted to the general reader aud the,
family circle. aud 1t Ia needless to cay that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the.
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments Of the paper will be conducted
BY experienced journalists who follow the
profession because they arc in love vita Il.
aud who appreciate public tastes SnS pubic
sonHiOilitios, Tho LEDGER is Denosratio. bu,
'minentIy conservative. and Is ever ready to
give ell sides aud shades Of opinion a fail
hearing. The editorials will be- live anal
pointed, but carefully confederate