Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-21
The Centennial Ledger

existence. with brighter prospects as q nve
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than at n former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
~cilitiss 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 wen as those
that happened a hundred years ago. Tho
unusual spectacle Is presented tn 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 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 tive 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. 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 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 Garth. 1t will be a year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
m%ingling Of the masses not to be witnessed
again for 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 mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will be presented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view of the subj,,ct
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the p 0onls
and for the people, and in full sympaf nv with
the laboring and ax-paying mas ,es. Their
Judgment and their instructive, conclusions
whom asOertained will be accs ptsd in prefer-
ence to the dictum of pOlit icians or the wis
dom Of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned theOry-thS.t the people are the
sOvereigns' and all oaice-hoIders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful per
formanOe 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 bo a bold, independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn un-
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 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 precedents set up that will have
a great bearing upon the future political his-
tory Of the country. As a nation of United
States we hare 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 arc,
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 q Jackson If
the Government passes Onoe mere into the
hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found q.
choice variety Of original and selected mat
ter adapted to the general reader and the
family circle. and II is needless r., say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
most cultivated and reaned. The several
departments of the paper WIn be conducted
by experienced Journalists who follow the
profession because thoy ara in love with IL.
and who appreciate public tastes and public
Sensibilities. The LEDenR is Democratic. but
Ominsntly conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sides and shades of opinion a fair
hearing The editorials will DO live and
pointed but carefully considorato.
Much space will De devoted to local news
and tODicS. Full and accurate river and
market reports will be given each day. And