Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-06
The Centennial Ledger

The proprietor of the Daily and Weekly
Memphis PUBLIC LEDGER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-.
tsFs upon the Centennial year of our National
existence With brighter prospects as 8 liV
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
c%ilitiss for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the Importance Of
the events now Transporting. 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
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 ablest modern
statesmen are playing a bold and desperate,
Eame 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. Oongressmen. members of the General
Assembly and important local s~Hicers. The
ablsst talent of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen, white
and oolerod, will desire to DO informed from
day to day and week to week Of what iSgoing
DE-. 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 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 see the daily history Of
the world "held up to the mi rror." The
latest new from all quarters viii be presented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view of the subject
may suggest. The LRDe,E Err is of the people
and for the people, and in full sympathy with
the labOrins and tax4paying masses. Their
judgment and their instructive conclusions
when ascertained will be accepted in prefer
once 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 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 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-
dsavor 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 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
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-
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is a ques-
ton yet to be decided at the ballot.box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or aro
governed by party. will be better known.
whom the voice of the people is heard next
November. twill avail US little that we hs,d
q Washington, a Jefferson and q jackson I
the Government passes once mere into tho
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 ard the
family circle, and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend tho taste of the
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments of the paper will be conducted
By experienced Journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love WITH II.