Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-15
The Centennial Ledger

The proprietor of the Daily and Weekly
Memphis PUBIC LEDGE announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper on
tsrs upon the Centennial year of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a Hv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any 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.
Thopsople are aroused to the importance OF
tho events now transporting. as we'll as those
that happened a hundred years ago. Tho
unusual spectacle is presented to the country
of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite pO-
ltical parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control ono
branch Of Congress. and the abIest modern
statesmen are playing a bold and desperate
game for tho political control of the Govern.
ment. Within the year two candidates will
DO nominated for the Presidency. and thu
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. 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 inaugura.ed with imposing ceremonies AZ
Philadelphia. on the Fourth of July, in tho
presence of thousands of people from every
State in tho Union and representatives of tho
principal nations on earth. 1t will be 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 oommept
thereon as an intelligent view of tho 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 wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned theory-that the people are the
sovoreigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
J wants. to be rewarded only for a faith
Torrance of duty within prescribe [.
= and condemned for breach of trus
Of delegated powers. In future. as
past. the LEDGER will DO a bold. indeoondep
Democratic journal, standing BY its partv
Y when right, but ever ready to condemn nm
worthy men or measures. An earnest an
deavOr will be made during the present year
to correct abuses in public places. to brins
about as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money as in a successful private
business. To this end we shall continue Ia
labor. urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to the
public service.
Issues of grave Importance will 10 decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and precodents 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-
ciples of our ancient Constitution, is a cues.
- ton yet to be decided at the ballot-box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or are
governed by party, will bs better known
when the voice of the people is heard mex,
November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a Jackson
the Government passes once nero into th,
i, hands Of q purely partisaa and s%octiOna
:" administration.
In our coluw.as will always be found q
choice variety of original and selected mat
tor adapted to the general reader and tn,
family circle. and it is needless to say thu.
nothing will appear TO offend tho taste of III,
most cultivated and refined. The sovera
departments Of the paper will be conducto,
by experienced journalists who follow tn
profession because they are in love with it
and who appreciate public tastes and publ
sOnsibilities. The LEDGE is Democratic, bu
eminontly conservative, and is ever ready I
40 give all sides and shades OF opinion a fai