Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-21
The Centennial Ledger

pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tsrs dpoR As Centennial year Of our National
szislsnse vlsAHhFIsAsss prospects as a liv
Dsndaralie and Conservative Family New
paper han a. any former period.
wsaro supplied with the best modern IA
ciIiass for pubushins a newspaper and reach
a lAsEsr number Of readers than ever before.
ThspsOplo are aroused TO the importance of
the events now rAnHplrinr. as we'll as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle l. presented to the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
bsinE sOntrOllsd respectively BY opposite pO-
uticaI parties. For the arat 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, oOnSrossmsn, members Of the General
Assembly and important local officers. The
ablsst talent Of the nation will DO arrayed on
both sidos. 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 i~nausuratsd 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
mingIing 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" 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
the laboring and tax. paying masses. Thor
Judgment and their instructive conclusions
whom asoertained 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 the
sovSreigns, and all o~fice-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for q 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 a bold, independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn un-
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
desvor will be made during tho 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 presidents set up that will have
a great bearing upon the future political his
, tory of the country. As a nation of United
States we have made great progress. but
whether we have preserved intact the prin.
ciplos Of our ancient Constitution. is a CUES.
ton yet to be decided at the ballot-box,
Whether we really govern ourselves or M
governed by party. will be better 'snowr
when the voice of the people is he pex
November. 1t will avail us little chat we hat
q Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into IN
hands Of a purely partisan and sect iona
administration.
In our columns will always be found
> choice variety Of original and selec ted ma
ter adapted to the general roadat and IL
family circle, AM. it is needless to say thu
nOtnins VIII appear to offend the taste of Il
most cult waited and refined. The sever
departments Of tho paper will DO conduct,
OE experienced journalists who follow Il
profession because they are in love with
D and who appreciate public tast es and pub
sensibilitieS. The LEDGER is D ,mocratiC, b
eminently conservative. and is over ready
give all sides and shades Of opinion a fa
n hearing. The editorials will be live Al
( pointed. but carefully consider ate.
Much space will be dsxotad To lo0.I No,