Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-22
The Centennial Ledger

" - -
Memphis PusLlo LHDeER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper on
tors upon ne Centennial year of our National
existence vIthHbrishssr prospects as q nv
Democrats and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
OIAAss for PUBLISHING a newspaper and reaOA
a iarrsr nunbsr Of readers than ever before.
TAssoobls are aroused to the importance of
the svonts now trAnHpIrIng. as vol as those
that Aappenea . hundred years ago. The
unusual speolAcIs Is presented to the country
u the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite pO-
Rs.sal parties. For tho first time since 1850
tho Democrats and Conservatives control ono
branch Of Congress, and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing a bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
msnt.s Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency. and the
people. in their sovereign capacity. will elect
q 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 %eficers. The
ablost talent Of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen. white
and ColOrod, 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 inausuratod 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
minsiing of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times,
and it's readers will see the daily history of
the world "heId 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. 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
I. fashioned theOry-that the people are the
sovsreigns, 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 tho
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-
deaVor will be made during the present year
to correct abuses in public places. to bring
about as strict and careful management o,
the peoples money as in a successful pr .vato
S business. To this end we shall cor inuo 10
labor. urging economy and refor' N at avery
possible point without pOsitiv o injury to tho
public service.
Issues Of grave impOr anco will be- decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
%unmade. and DreCodents set up that will have
great pearinT. upon the future political his
p tory OF tne country. AS a nation of United
States We have made great progress, but
Whetaer we have preserved intact the prin-
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution. is a CUES.
ton yet to be decided at the ballot-box.
Whether We really govern ourselves or are
governed by party. win be better known
u when the voice of the people is heard next
- November. 1t will avail us little that we had
. Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson I
the Government passes once mere into the
hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration
| In our columns will always be found n
T. 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
most cultivated and refined. The severaI
departments Of the paper will be conducted
by experienced Journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love with it,
~ and who appreciate public tastes and public
sonsibiIities. The LEDGER is Democratic, bu,
eminsntly conservative. and is syer ready IA
give all sides and shades Of opinion a iai,
In hearing. The editorials will be live and