Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-11
The Centennial Ledger

memphis PUBLIC LkbGkk announoos WIN
and confidence that this paper en-
ters upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with : brighter prospects as a lv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilities for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to the Importance oil
the events now transpiring, 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-
litical 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 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, Congressman, 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 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
DO 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 tho
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 LEDsER 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
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 tho old
fashioned theOry-that the people are the
sovsreigns, and all Ofice-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 a bold, independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right. but ever ready to condemn pu-
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 priv, 10
business. To this end we shall contip No %
labor. urging economy and reform at svorv
possible point without positive II ,iurv 10 tho
puiic service.
Issues Of grave Importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and precedents SET up that will bavs
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 min.
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution. is p aues..
ton yet to be decided at tho bal1s.boy
Whether we really govern ourselves or ara
governed by party, will be better I,nor,,,
when the voice of the people is he, "a nav,
November. It will avail us little th at wa had
a Washington, a Jefferson and. p. .JacksoD
the Government passes ono. msre into III,
hands Of a purely part san and ssctiono.
administration.
La our columns Ill always he found =,
choice variety of OF iginal and selected mat.
'r auop'ea 70 : ho general reader and tn,
family CIRCLE and it is needless to say that
nothing wild appear to offend tho taste of tn,
mO't cultivated and refined. The sovora.
apartments of the paper will be conducted
by experienced journalists who follow tn,
profession because they are in love with it.
and who appreciate public tastes and opbli,
sonsibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu,
eninently conservative. and is ever readv 70
give all sides and shades of opinion a fai,
hearing. The editorials will be- live and
pointed, but carefully c-ons;dora.