Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-25
Centennial Ledger

The Centennial Ledger !
The propristOr Of the Daily and Weekly
Memphis PUBLIC LEDsER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tsrS upOn the Centennial year of our National
existence wsthHbtishtsr prospects as a lv
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 larser number Of readers than ever before.
HspsOpls arc aroused to the Importance of
the events now tranSpirins. as we'll as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented tn the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite DO
litical parties. For the first time since 1850
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing e beld and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
msnt. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency, and tho
peOpleyin 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 %eHicers. The
ablest talent Of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen. white
and oolered. 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 i~nauguratsd 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 upheayal 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" Tho
latest news from all quarters viii be presented
in a condensed form and sich 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 Of politicians or the v ia.
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned t%heory-that the people ace the
SOvsreigns, and all ~ofice-holders pu'olio ser-
wants, to be rewarded only for a faj thful per-
Torrance of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach of tr ust or abuse
II
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-.
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
unmsde, and presidents set up that will 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 the prin-
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution. is a Ques-
ton yet to be decided at the ballOt-box.
Whsther we really govern ourselves or are
governed BY party, will be better known
whom the voice of the people is heard next
November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson if
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
tor adapted to the general reader and the
family circle, and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the tasto 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 it.
and who appreciate public tastes and public
sensibilitios. The LEDGER is Democrats, but