Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-29
The Centennial Ledger

AnO VouU0uul6l uouS0 l
The proprietor Of the Daily and Weekly
Memphis PUBLIC LEDGER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
ters upOn the Centennial year of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a liv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilitiOs for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the importance of
the events now Transporting. as well 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-
hticaa parties. For the first time since 1860
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 tho year two candidates will
DO nominated for the Presidency. and tho
people. in their sovereign capacity, will elect
a President and Vice President. and in many
of the States. as in Tennessee. elect a G Cove
nor. Congressman, members of the General
Assembly and important local e%Hicers. 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 inaugura.ed 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 be Witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of the time,
and its readers will see the daily history of
the world "held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will be rresented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view Of the subject
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the peopls
and for the people. and in full sympathy with
the laboring and tax paying masses. Their
judgment and their instructive conclusions
when ascertained will DO accepted in prefer
ence to the dictum of politicians or the viz
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned theory-that the people are The,
sovsreigns, and all ofice-holdors public sor..
wants. to be rewarded only for a faith
Torrance of duty within prescribe
and condemned for breach of trus
of delegated powers. In future, as
past. the LEDGER will DO bold, indppenden
Democratic journal, standing by its marty
whom right. but ever ready to condemn nm.
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-.
deavOr will be made during tho present year
to correct abuses in public places, to bring
about as strict and careful management ~
the peoples money as in a successful private
business. To this end we shall continur IN
labor. urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to the
public service.
Issues Of grave importance will be deoidod,
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and procOdents 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. but
whether we have preserved intact the prin-
ciplSs Of our ancient Constitution, i. n mas.
ton yet to DO decided at the ballot.box.
Whether we really govern our selves or are
BY party will 10 better known
when the voice of the people is heard next
November. 1t will avVll us little that We had
a Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into tho
hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found n
'n0ice variety OF original and selected mat
tor adapted to the general reader and tho
family circle, and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend tho taste of tho
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments of the paper will DO conducted
by experienced journalists who follow the
because they are in love with it,
and who appreciate public tastes and public.
The LEDGER is Democratic, but