Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-27
The Centennial Ledger

Memphis PUBLIC LEBeRR announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tsrs upOn the Centennial year of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a Iv
Democratic inc Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
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 to the country
of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite DO
litical 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
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 goius
on. The Centennial of our Independence will
be inaugura.ed 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 TIM
principal nations on earth. 1t will be a year
full of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
m~ingling 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" Tbs
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
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 thu old
fashioned theory-that the people are the
sovereigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants, to BIO rewarded only for a fafth
formance of duty within prescribe
and condemned for breach of trus
Of delegated powers. In future. as
past the LEDGER will be a bold. indeUenden
Democratic journal. standing by its party
when right. but ever ready to condemn nm.
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deavor will be made during the present year
to correct abuses in public places. to bin.
about as strict and careful manageme M ~
the peoples money as in a successful ,orivato
business. To this end we shall coptinus n
labor. urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury To thu
public service.
Issues of grave importance will be decidsd
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and presidents set up that will have
a great bearing upOn the future political his
tory of the country. As a nation of Unitsd
States we have made great progress. but.
whether We have preserved intact the prin,
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is a ou,os.
ton yet to be decided at the ballotJoo v
Whether we really govern ourselves mr. or.
governed by party. will be better known
when tho voice of the people Is heard next
November. 1t will avail ds little that wa had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into the.
hands Of a purely partisan and SECTIONAL
administration.
In our columns will always be fOund
choice variety Of original and selected mat
tor adapted to the general reader and tho
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 viii be conducted
by experienced journalists who follow tho
profession because they are in love with it.
and who appreciate public tastes and public
'Onsibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic. bus
'minontly conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sides and shades Of opinion a fair
hearing The editorials will bo live and