Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-13
The Centennial Ledger

AomPhAa AbaaAN
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
upon the Centennial year of our National
withEbrighter prospects as a hv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper thar at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
ciIities 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 a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented IN the country
of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite pO-
litical 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
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. Congressmon. 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 isgOing
on. The Centennial of our independence will
be inaugurated with imposing ceremonies ct
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 viii 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 tho 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
2 may suggest. The LEDGER is of the people
and for the people. and in full sympathy with
Z the lsbOring and tax paying masses. Their
E 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 tho old
e fashioned thoory-that the people are the
sovereigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants, to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
formance of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach Of trust or abuse
Of delegated powers. In future, as in the
d past. the LEDGER will be a bold, independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right. but ever ready to condemn un-
If worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deayor will be made during tho present year
n 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
8, labor. urging economy and reform at every
20 possible point without positive injury to the
public service.
Issues of grave Importance will be decided
g this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade, and presidents set up that will have
ls a great bearing upon the future political his
at tory Of the country. AS a nation of United
States we have made great progress. but
10 whether we have preserved intact the prin.
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is a cues.
tion yet to be decided at the ballot.box.
Whether VIC really govern ourselves or are
governed by party, will be better known
when the voice Of the people is heard mex
CO November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson i
the Government passes once mere into tho
hands of a purely partisan and sectiona.
administration.
y, In our columns will always be found q
choice variety of original and selected mat
SO ter adapted to the general reader and tn,
'er family circle, and it is needless to say tba,
mt nothing will appear to offend the taste Of III,
most cultivated and refined. The sovera
departments of the paper will be conducto,
by experienced journalists who follow tb
a. profession because they are in love with it
b ; and who appreciate public tastes and publ
bOg5 sOnsibilitiss. The LEDGER is Democratic. ba
ID Ominsntly conservative. and is ever ready :
~ give all sides aud shades of opinion a fai
nE hearing, The editorials will be- live an,
10 pointed. but carefully oonsidOrOto.