Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-19
The Centennial Ledger


democratic and Conservative Family New
apsr than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
ilitiss for publishing a newspaper and reach
larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to tho Importance Of
he events nov Transporting. as well as those
hat happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented to the country
# the upper and lower Houses in Congress
controlled respectively by opposite pO-
parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing q bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
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. Congressmen, members Of the General
Assembly and important local eficers. 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
be inaugurated with imposing ceremonies at
Philadelphia. on the Fourth of July. in tho
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
minglins of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast Of the times,
and its readers will sse the daily history of
the world "held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will be rresiynted
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view of the. subject
may suggest. The LEDGE is Of the people
and for the people. and in full sym pathy with
the laboring aud 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 theOry-that the people are tho
sovOreigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants, to DO 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 the
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, Independents
Democratic journal, standing by its party
whom 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.
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 we have made great progress, bui
whether We have preserved intact the prin.
ciplsS Of our ancient Constitution, is a ques.
ton yet to be decided at the ballot.box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or are
governed by party. will be better known
whom the voice of the people is heard mex
> November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into TIL
hands Of a purely partisan and sectiona
administration,
In our columns will always be found
choice variety of original and selected mai
ter adapted to the general reader and IA
family circle. and it is needless to say tina
nothing will appear to offend the taste of til
most cultivated and refined. The severu
departments of the paper viii be conducto
by experienced journalists who follow tn
profession because they are in love with it
and who appreciate public tastes and publ
senSibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu
eminontly conservative. and is ever ready t
give all sides and shades of opinion a fai
I hearing. The editorials will be live An
pointed. but carefully cOnsidorato,
Much space will be devoted to local nor
10 and topics. Full ana accurate river ar
market reports will b. given eaoJI day. Ar