Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-05-20
The Centennial Ledger

pleasure and conhdsncs that this paper on
ters upon the Centennial year of our National
existence yithEbrishtsr prospects, as a Iiv
Dem0cratic 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 numbers Of readers than ever before.
b epsOple arc aroused to the importance Of
The events now Transporting. 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 DO
Iiticai p~artisS.l 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
msnt. 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 COnsrssmsn, 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 is going
on. The Centennial of our Independence will
30 ~ipauEuratod 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 bo a year
LMm-.f NA|"|L Hl
full Of stirring events. an uphsaval and cOm-
mingling Of the masses not to be- Witnessed
again for a life time. to,t8 IG
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times.
and its readers will see the daily history Of
the world held up to the mirror.D The
latest news from all quarters will be presented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon IS an intellisent view of tho subject
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the people
and for the people. and in full sympathy with
the labOrinS 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 t~hsOry-that the people are the
SOVSreigns, and all Ofice-hOlders public SER
wants. to DO rewarded only for a faithful Del f.
fOrmance of duty within prescribed lim;ts.
and condemned for breach Of trust or s.bus.
Of delegated powers. In future. as in. the
past. the LRDoRR will be a bold, indspvudspt
Democratic journal, standing by its PARTY
when right, but ever ready to condemn nm
worthy men or measures. An eOruest en-.
dsavOr will 30 made during the present year
to correct abuses in public places. to brinr
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 b dec;dod
this year. Men and parties will bs made and
unmade' and presidents set up that will have
a great bearing upon the future political his
tOry.Of the country. As a nation 0 sIJDitsd
States we have made great progress. but
whether we have preserved intact the prin-.
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is a quos-
ton yet to be decided at the ballot-bOx..
Whether we really govern ourselves or ara,
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 in
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
tsr adapted TO the Eeneral reader and the
.NN.. L- " Del. -LHM# M-.. "A L"
iamily circle. and it is needless TO saw that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of tho
cultivated and refined. The several
iepartment' Of the paper win be conducted
'y experienced journalists who follow thep
profession because they are in love with IT,.
Mud who appreciate public tastos and public.
ensibilities, The LHDOEa is Democratic, but.
mine conservative. and is ever ready to,
I'VE all sides and shades Of opinion a fair
earring The editorials will be live and
but carefully cOnuidorato.
Much space viii be devoted to local news.
md f0nfoo Dill --I ."huUN