Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-01
The Centennial Ledger

tiers upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence withEbriEhtsr prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family NsFs-
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.
ThepeOple are aroused to the importance Of
the events now transporting, 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-
htical 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
ment. Within the year two candidates will
be nOminSted 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, Congressmen, 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 DO 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.
m%insling of the masses not to be Witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times.
and its readers will sec 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 peop) !
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 prsfer.
ence to the dictum of politicians or the wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to tho old
fashioned theOry-that tho people are the
sovereigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants, to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
formance 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 DO a bold, indopon dArt
Democratic journal, standing by ia marty
when right, but ever ready to condemn nm.
worthy men or measures. An earnest On.
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 10.
labor. urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to tho
public service.
Issues Of grave importance will be deeid,s ID
this year. Men and parties win be made and
unmade. and precedents set up that win have
a great besring upon the future polite Al bis-
tory of the country. As q nation o. United
States We have made great pro gross. but
whether We have preserved intact the prin-
eiplss Of our ancient CONSTITUTE on, is a cues
ton yet to he decided at TIE ballot-box.
Whether We really govern ourselves or are
governed by party, will be better known
when 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
hands of 9 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 the
family circle, and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
""N
most cultivated and refined. The sevsraa
departments of the paper will be cOaduotoa
by experienced Journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love with h.
and who appreciate public tastes and public
sensibilitiss. The LEDGER is Democratic. but
ominently 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 considerate.
Much space will DO devoted to local news .
and topics. Full and accurate river nm 4
market reports will be given each day. A IA.