Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-05
The Centennial Ledger

The proprietor Of the Daily and Weekly
Memphis PuBtIo LEBsRR III with
pleasure and confidence that this paper On
tiers upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence withEbrlghtsr prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
~ciiities Tor publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number Of readers than ever before.
ThspeOple are aroused 70 tho Importance Of
the events now transpiring. 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 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen arc playing a bold and desperate
game 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 Presidentand Vice President. and in many
Of the States. as in Tennessee. elect a Cove.
nor. COngfesshen. members Of the General
Assembly and important local officers. The
ableSt talent Of the nation viii DO arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen. white
and cblercd. viii desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week of what Is going
on. The Centennial of our Independence will
be linaugurated with imposing ceremonies at
Philadelphia, on the Fourth of July, in tho
presence of thousands Of people from every
State in the Union and representatives of tho
principal nations on earth. 1t will be a year
full Of stirring events. an uDheaval 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 SEQ the daily history Of
the world held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will be- presented
in q condensed form and such cOmmept
thereon as an intelligent view of the subject
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the peopls
and for the people, and in full sympathy with
tho hboring and tax paying masses. Their
Judgment and their instructive conclusions
when asceftained will DO accepted in prefer
ence to the dlctum Of politicians or the wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old.
fashioned theory-that the people are thu
sovSreigns, and all ofice-hOlders public gar
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful mar
formance Of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach of trust or abusa
Of delegated powers. In future. as in the
past. the LEDGER WI be a bold. independent
Democratic journal. standing By its marty
when right, but ever ready to condemn nm.
worthy men or measures. An earnest ON.
deavOr will be made during tho present wear
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 viii have
a 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 tho prin-
ciplss of our ancient Constitution, is a ques.
ton yet to be decided at the baIlOt.bc,r
Whether we really govern ourselves mr. ara
governed BY party, will DO better known
when the voice Of the people Is heard next
November. 1t will avail us little that We had
aWashinEton. a Jefferson and a jackson if
the Government passes once mere into the
hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration,
In our columns win always be found a.
choice variety of original and selected mat
tr 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 several
departments Of the paper win DO conducted
by experienced journalists who follow the
profession because they arc in love with / 4
and who appreciate public tastes and pub ,Bc
'On'ibilitieS, The LEDGER is Democratic. but
eminontly conservative. and ia ever ready 70
give all sides and shades of opinion a fair
hearing The editorials will be 1.-Two and
pointed, but carefully confederate