Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-05
The Centennial Ledger

tsrs upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence withKbrishtsr prospects as a Iiv
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.
The pe are aroused to the Importance Of
the events now transporting. as we'll as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented n 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
msnt. 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 q Cove
nor. COngrsssmen. members of the General
Asaau,kIv ond ;naoo,konk Io.at A.. M
ablest talent of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen. white
and cOlOrsd, will desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week of what isgoing
on. The Centennial of our independence will
DO inaugurated with imposing ceremonies at
PhiladeIphia, 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 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 time,-
and It's readers will see the daily history Of
the world held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will be presented
in 4 condensed form and such 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 wis.
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned thoory-that the people are the
sOvsreignS. and all ofRce-holders public ser
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
Torrance of duty within prescribed limita.
and condemned for breach of trust or abuse
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 tho present yea r
to correct abuses in public places, to bril- ,g
about as strict and careful management of
the peoples money as in a successful pri ,ate
business. To this end we shall contjn ne to
labor. urging economy and reform az every
pos IDLE point without posiU ye injury to the
public service.
Issues of grave import ance will be decided
this year. Men and pc rites will be made and
rnmade. and precede us set up that will have
+ a great bearing upoJl 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 quos-
ton yet to be decided at the ballot-box.
: Whether We really govern ourselves or are
governed by party. will be better known
: when the voice of the people is heard next
; November. 1t will avail US little that we had
. q 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
I. 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 taste of the.
most cultivated and refined. The several
= departments of the paper will be- conducted.
' y by experienced journalists who follow tho
= profession because they are in love with it,
: and who appreciate public tastes and public
I senSibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic, but
4 eminently conservative. and is ovsr ready 10
: give all SidOs and shades of opiniOa A fair
hearing. The editorials will bs live and
pointed. but carefully considerable.
Much space will be devoted to local n0,.