Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-31
The Centennial Ledger

.,lsasurs and confidence that this paper en-
ers upon the Centennial year of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than 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 p6Opls are, aroused to the Importance OF
the events now trAnspiring. as well as those
that happened q hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented tn 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 " candidates will
bo nominated for the Presidency. and the
people. in their sovereign capacity. will elect
a President and Vice President. and in many
Of the States. IS in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor, Congressmen. 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 colered. 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 OF
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
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 the 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
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the people
fand for tho 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 the
Sovereigns. and all ofice-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
Torrance of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach of trust or abuse
Of delegated powers. In future, as in thu
) past. the LEDGER will be a bold. indepen5 emit
Democratic journal, standing by It's party
when right. but ever ready to condemn Din.
worthy men or measures, An earnest or.
dsavor will be made duriDg the present year
= to correct abuses in public places, to bring
: about as strict and careful management Of
8 the peoples money as in a successful private
business. To this end we shall continue to
a labor, urging economy and reform at every
. possible point without positive injury to the
9 public service.
q Issues Of grave Importance will be decided
Q this year. Men and parties will be made and
( unmade. and precedsnts SGT up that will he =
Z 3 great bearing upon the future political bis
Q tory Of the country. As a nation Of U pits
B States We have made great prOgrS IS. bu
. whether we have preserved intact the uriD
ciplss Of our ancient Constitute on. is a ones
ton yet to be- decided at the ballot.bOx
= Whether we really govern ourselves or ar
d governed by party. will DO better know,
when the voice Of the people is heard mex
November. 1t will avail us little that we hac
n a Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson /
I. the Government passes once mere into tb,
# hands of a purely partisan and s~ectiOna
60 administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety Of original and selected
Of ter adapted to the general reader ' -,
ID family circle. and 1t is needless : A.,
X nothing will appear to offend tb ..
Is o taste OF u
ID i. The sever
Of departments Of the paper ,v,u \
r. VIII % conduot'
,; By experienced journal a.. who en- =,
70 ISIS VINO follow h
n profession because = Jaw A.. :,
and who apprsCiak nuh,,. :.
: ne LEDGER is Democratic, b.
os 'min'n''S y snSorvativO. and is ever ready
r siVe all sides and shades of opinion a IA
v hsariUl Tho editorials will be- live an
nd pOVitsd. but carefully OOnsidorato.