Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-06
The Centennial Ledger

pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tiers upon the Centennial year Of our National
s%Ii'isn q ~vishabriShtsr prospects as a Iv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than AZ any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
%OilitisS for publishing nowupapot and reach
a larger humber of readers than ever before.
ThopsOpIe are aroused to the importance of
the events now trAnsDiring. as well as those
that happaned a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented ~ the country
of thsuppsr 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
nsnt. 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 10 Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor. Congressman. members of the General
Assembly and important local eaicers. The
ablost 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
be inauguratsd 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-
m~insling of the masses not to be Witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the tima,
and Its readers will see the daily history Of
the world held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will be rrosoptsd
in q condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view of the subiecs
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the neonle
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 t%heOry-that the people are tho
sOvsreigns. and all Ofice-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful mar.
VI uu'y "ltnln prescribed limits,
and condemned for breach of trust or abuse
OF delegated powers. In future, as in tbs
past the LEDGER will be a bold. independent
Democratic journal, standing by its marty
when right. but ever ready to condemn -
worthy men or measures. An carr. est en-.
deavor will be made during the p,res0n+ vo.r
to correct abuses in public Jlaces. 10 hiring
about as strict and careful management of
the peoples money az in a successful private
business, To this end we shall coptipue 10
labor urging economy and reform at every
pos IDLE point without positive injury to the
public service.
Issues Of grave Importance will be deoidoa
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade' and precodOnts 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. bpt
whether We have preserved intact the prin.
ciplss of our ancient Constitution, is a ouea-
ton yet to be decided at the ballot.box.
whether we really govern ourselves or arp
governed by party, will be better known
when the voice of the people is heard nav,
November. 1t will avail us little that wa bsa
a Washington a Jefferson and a jackson 70
the Government passes once mere into tho
hands of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety of original and selected mat
ter adapted to the general reader and n.
iamiy CIRCLE and 1t is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend tho tasto If ,bo
most cultivated and refined. The sevoro,
departments Of tho paper will be conducted
by experienced journalists who follow n.
profession because they are in love with it,
and who appreciate public tastes and publi,
'enSibilitioS. The LEDOEa is Democratic. ar.
'minontly conservative. and is ever cad 70
all sides and shades of opinion a f,i,
hearing The editorials will be live and
pointed but carefully oOnsidorato.
Much space viii be devoted to local now,