Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-16
The Centennial Ledger

Memphis PUBLIC LEDGER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
ters upon the Centennial year of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a lv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
c~ilities for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to tho 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-
litical parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control on,
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 nominated for the Presidency, and tn,
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, Congressman, 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 be informed from
day to day and week to week Of what is going
on. The Centennial of our Independence will
be inaugura.ed with imposing ceremo MES at
Philadelphia. on the Fourth of Jyly. in thu
presence of thousands of people from every
State in the Union and repreg entatives of the
principal nations on Garth. 1t will be- a year
full of stirring events. an upheaval and com.
m~ingling of the masses not to be witnessed
7 again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times.
and its readers will sec tho daily history Of
tho 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. Their
judgment and their instructive conclusions
when ascertained will be accepted in prefer
ence to the dictum If politicians or the wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old.
fashioned t%heory-that the people are the,
sOvOreigns. and all Ofice-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faith
Torrance of duty within prescribe
- and condemned for breach of trus
of delegated powers. In future, AZ.
past. the LEDGER will be bold. in depondeu
Democratic journal, standing by ita marty
q when right. but ever ready To- condemn nm.
worthy mon or measures. An earnest en-.
deavOr will be made during the present yoal
to correct abuses in publ places, to brin,
about as strict and car ful management Of
the peoples money as in a successful priyat,
business. To this END we shall continue t.
labor urging economy and reform at av0rl
possible point without positive injury to til,
public seoice.
- Issues of grave Importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made anC
unmade. and presidents sOt up that will hay,
a great bearing upon the future political his
tory of the country. AS q nation of Unitet
States we have made great progress, bu
whether 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 ar,
governed by party. will be better know
when tho voice of the people is heard neg
November. It will avail us little that we bat
a Washington, a Jefferson and a Jackson
the Government passes once msre into n
hands Of a purely partisan and ~sectiono
~ administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety Of original and selected ma,
ter adapted to the general reader and III
family circle, and it is needless to say tba
nothing will appear to offend tho taste of tn
most cultivated and refined. The sovsra
departments Of the paper will be- conduoto
by experienced journalists who follow IN
profession because they are in love with it
and who appreciate public tastes and publ
sensibilihes. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu
eminontly conservative. and is ever ready t
No give all sides and shades of opinion a fai
hearing. The editorials will DO live am
pointed. but carefully considereA