Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-09
The Centennial Ledger

DomooteeO anu OVhootFeuVo FANNY cNo"
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern fa
cilitiss 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 transporting. as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented 10 the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite pO-
litical parties. Fer 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 tho political control of the Govern
mont. 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
nor oOnSrsssmen. members Of the General
Assembly and important local efioers. The
ablest talent Of the nation will DO 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. 1t will be a year
full Of stirring events, an upheaval and COM
minglinE Of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times.
and it's readers will see the daily history Of
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 people
and for the people. and in full sympathy with
tho laboring and tax paying masses. Their
judgment and their instructive conclusions
when ascertained win be accepted in prefer
ence to the dictum of politicians or tho wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the Did
fashioned theory-that the people are the
sovSreigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants, to 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
past. the LEDGER will be bold. independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn I'M
worthy men or measures. An earnest CD.
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 precedents set up that viii have
f q great bearing upon the future political his
Q tory Of the country. As a nation of United
States we have made great progress. but
. whether we have preserved intact the prin-
Q ciplss of our ancient Constitution, is a ques-
0 ton yet to be decided at the ballot-box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or are
9 governed by party, will be 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 if
the Government passes once mere into the
: 9 hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
! administration. AA
= In our columns will always be found a
choice variety Of original and selected mat
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
departments Of the paper will be conducted
y By experienced Journalists who follow tn,
profession because they are in love with it,
and who appreciate public tastes and publ,
sensibilitios. The LEDOER is Democratic. bur
Or eminently conservative. and is ever ready Il
* give all sides and shades Of opinion a fail
' hearing. The editorials will DO live and
~ ~ pointed. but carefully cOnsiderate.
10 Much space win be devoted to local new
N and topics. Full and accurate river ant
ae market reports will be given each day. AND
~ it will be our constant aim to give the lates
and most accurate news on all subjects, and