Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-04
The Centennial Ledger

existence With brighter prospects as q live
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
%cilitiss for publishing q newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the Importance Of
the events now tranSpiring. as well as those
that happened q 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-
litical parties. For the first time since 1850
the,DemOcrats and Conservatives control one
branch of Congress. and the ablost modern
statesmen are playing = bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
lent. 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 s%ficers. 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. The Centennial of our independence will
be inausurated 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.
minsling of the masses not to be Witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times,
and its readers will SEQ the daily history of
the world "held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will DO presented
in q 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 lsboring 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 theory-that the people are tho
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 tho
past the LEDGER will be bold. independent,
Democratic journal, standing by its patty
whom right. but ever ready to condemp nm.
worthy men or measures. An earnp at an.
deavor will be made during the pres, mt YEAR
to correct abuses in public places, to bring
about as strict and careful mann cement of
the peoples money as in q successful private
business. To this end we shall continue To-
labor. urging economy and reform at every
pos ible point without positive injury to tho
public service.
Issues of grave Importance will be decid cd
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and precedents set up that will have
a great bearing upon the future politi sal his
tory of the country. As a nation Of United
States We have made great progress. bat
whether we have preserved intact the prin-
oiplss of our ancient Constitution. is a quos-
ton yet to be decided at the bsllot.bOx.
Whether We really govern ourselves or are
governed by party, will be better known
when the voice Of the people is heard pext
November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson If
the Government passes once mere into the
hands of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will. always be found a
choice variety Of original and selected mat
ter adapted to the general reader and ,h0
family circle. and it is needless to 81 y tina,
nothing will appear to offend the T. ste Of tbo
most cultivated and refined. The .ov...,
departments Of the paper viii be- coaduotod
BY experienced journalists who follow the
profession because they ara in love with It.
and who appreciate public tastes and public
s'nSibilities, The LEDGER is Democratic. but
sminsDtiy conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sides and shadss Of opinion a fair
hearing The editorials will be live and
I pointed. but carefully considerate.
Much space will be devoted to local novv
and topics. Full and accurate river and
market reports will be given each day. And