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

Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than At any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilltiss for publishing a newspaper and reach
q larger number Of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the importance Of
the events now transpirins. as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle ia 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
ment. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency, and the
people. in their sovereign capacity. will elect
q President and Vice President. and in many
Of the States, as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor. COngressmen. members of the General
Assembly and important local %efiOers. The
ablest talent of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen. white
and eolered. will desire to be informed from
day TO day and week to week of what is 10 going
on. The Centennial of our independence will
be inaugurated 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 upheaval and COM
m%ingling of the masses not to DO witnessed
again for a life time. =.
The LEDeER 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 DO presented
in a 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 asOertained 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 tho people are the
sovsreigns. and all oHice-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
past. the LEDGER will be q 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 the present year
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
labor. urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to the
public service. t5Jt
Issues Of grave importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and precedents set up that will have
( a great bearing upon the future political his-
) tory Of the country. AS a nation of United
States 70 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 Lext
-
November. 1t will avail US little that 1o had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson if
} the Government passes once D4ere into the
, hands of a purely partisan and sectional
! administration.
In our columns will always be found q
! choice variety Of original and selected mat
3 tor adapted to the general reader and the
! family circle, and it is needless to say that
! nothing will appear to offend the taste IF tho
7 most cultivated and refined. The several
I departments Of the paper will be conducted
By experienced journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love with it.
2 and who appreciate public tastes and public
. 2 sensibilitiOS. The LEDGER is Democratic. but
. sminsntIy conservative. and is ever ready to
. give all sides and shades Of opinion a fair
hearing. The editorials will be live and
2 pointed. but carefully oonsiderato.
! Much space will be devoted to local news
3 and topics. Full and accurate river and
\ market reports will be given each day. And
it will be our constant aim to give the latos,