Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-12
The Centennial Ledger

Memphis PUBLIC LEDGER announces with
and confidence that this paper on
tsrs upOn the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a liv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
%cilitiss for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than over before.
The people are aroused to tho Importance Of
the events now Transporting. as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented II the country
of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite DO
'litical parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control Ona
branch of Congress, and the ablest mOdera
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 tbs
people, in their sovereign capacity, will cleo.
a President and Vice President, and in mans
Of the States, as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor, Congressman, members Of the General
Assembly and important local officers. Tho
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 al
Philadelphia, on the Fourth Of July, in the
presence Of thousands Of people from eve.y
State in the Union and representatives of TIE
principal nations on earth. It will be a year
full Of stirring events, an upheaval and COTE.
mingling Of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of tho 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 M
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 the old
fashioned theOry-that the people are the
SOvOreigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants, to be rewarded only for a faith
Torrance of duty within prescribe t,
and condemned for breach Of trus
of delegated powers. In future, as
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, indppenden
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn m.
worthy men or measures. An earnest On.
deavor will be made during the present yesI
to correct abuses in public places, to brins
about as strict and careful management O.
tho peoples money as in a successful private
business. To this end we shall continue to
labor. urging economy and reform at ever
possible point without positive injury n III
public service.
Issues Of grave importance will b a dec;ds
this year. Men and partics will b. a mads an
unmade, and precedents set up that will S.v
a great bearing upon tho ~fv.tr.ro political hi
tory OF the country, As n nation of Unite
States we have made great progress. bu
wnetner we hive preserved intact the pri1
ciplss Of oar ancient Constitution, is a one,
ZION vt to be decided at the ballot.boz
whether we really govern ourselves or AZ
governed by party, will bo better knor
when the voice of the people is heard nez
November. 1t will avail US little that we 4,
a Washington, a Jefferson and a Jackssn
the Government passes once mere into III
hands Of a purely partisan and %sectioua
administration.
la our columns win always be found
cholce variety OF original and selected mai
ter adapted to the general reader and I'll
family circle. and it is needless to say tia
nothing will appear to offend the tases VI tn
most cultivated and refined. Tho severn
departments of the paper will bo conducto
by experienced journalists who follow II
profession because they are ip love with II
and who appreciate public tastes and publ
sensibilitieS. The LEDGER is Democratic. br
eminently conservative, and is ever ready ,
/, give all sides aid shades of opinion a fsi
hearing The editorials will be- live an
pointed, but oarehnllv oons;5.r.