Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-10
The Centennial Ledger

fANN
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilities for publishing a Newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
Thspeople are aroused to the Importance Of
the events now trausDiriAS, 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
bsing controlled respectively BY opposite pO-
litical parties. For the FIRST time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing a bold and desperate
game fer the political control Of the Govern
ment. 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 Cover
nor. Congressman, members of the General
Assembly and important local %sficers. The
ablest talent Of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen. white
and eolOred. 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 tho
principal nations on earth. 1t will be a year
full of stirring events, an upheaval and com
mingling Of the masses not 10 be- witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDsER 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 labOrinE 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 the
sOvereigns. and all Ofice-holders public per-
wants, to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
Torrance of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach Of trust or abuse
of delsgated powers. In future. as in the
past the LEDGER will be a bold, independent
Democratic journal. standing by it's party
when right, but ever ready to condemn un-
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-.
deavor 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 ,, iyats
business. To this end we shall eot.uaao to
labor. urging economy and reform al every
possible point without positive injury 70 tho
public service. ,lsi
lssues Of grave importance will DO decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and.
pnmads. and precodsnts set up that will have.
q 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-
eiUlos Of our ancient Constitution. is a ques
ton yet to DO decided at the ballot-bOx.
Whether we really govern ourselves or ara,
governed By party, win be better known
when the voice Of the people is heard nv
November. 1t will avail us little that ",
a Washington a Jefferson and a JvoksOD i
the Government passes once mere int ~,
hands Of a purely Partisan and ssc.ioDs
administration,
In our Columns viii always be found .
'no'cs variety Of original and selected mat
tor adapted TO the general reader and III,
family circle. and it is needless 10 say tina
nothing will appear to offend tho taste of tn,
most cultivated and refined. The sovora.
departments of the paper will be cOnduCtoc
by experienced journalists who follow tn,
profession because they are in love with 1t.
and Who appreciate public tastes and publ.
sensibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu,
'ninentiy conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sides and shades Of opinion a fair
hearing. The editorials will be live and
pointed, but carefully confederate.
Much space will DO devoted to local new,
and topics. Full and accurate river and
market reports will be given each day. Ana
IL will bo ouY nonst.nt