Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-11
The Centennial Ledger

tiers upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family News
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.
The people 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 tn tho 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
DO 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. Tho
ablest talent of the nation will DO 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. Tit 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. It will DO a year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
mingling 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 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
once to the dictum of politicians or the wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned theory-that the people are thu
Sovereigns, and all o~fice-holders public ser.
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful ne p
formanco of duty within prescribed linz its.
and condemned for breach of trust or abuss
Of delegated powers. In future, s.s in the
past the LEDGER will be bold, independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn nm
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 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 decldsd
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and presidents set up that will bavs
a great bearing upon the future political bia.
tory of the country. As a nation of United
States we have made great progress, but
whether we have preserved intact the min
ciplss of our ancient Constitution, is n oues.
ton yet to be decided at the ballot-box.
Whether We really govern ourselves or ars
governed by party, win be better known
when the voice Of the people is heard pext
November. It will avail us little that wa had
a Washington, a Jefferson and A jackson 20
the Government passes once mere into the
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 and the
family circle. and II is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste Of the
most cultivated and refined. The sov.r.l
departments Of the paper win be oonductoi,
by experienced Journalists who follow Tho
profession because they arc in love with :,
and who appreciate public tastes and publ;o
s'n'ibilitieS. The LEDGER is Democratic. lint
'min'ntly 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 be devoted to local news
and topics. Full and ooon,..