Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-21
The Centennial Ledger.

Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.
: We are supplied with the best modern +.
ciliti0s for publishing a newspaper and reach
q larger number Of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused 70 the Importance Of
thu now tranSpiriAg, as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented to the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress,
being controlled respectively by opposite DO
htical parties. For the first time since 1850
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the abIest modern
statesmen are playing a bold ana desperate
Eame for the political control Of the Govern
nent. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency, and the
people. In their sovereign capacity, will elect
q President and Vice President. and in mapy
Of the States. as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor CongresSmsn, members Of the General
Assembly and important local ~eficers. The
ablest talent Of the nation will bo arrayed nm
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
30 inaugurated with imposing ceremonies, AZ
Philadolphia. on the Fourth of July. in thu
presence Of thousands of people from wary
State in the Union and representatives IF tho
principal nations on earth. 1t will he a vasr
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and com.
mingling Of the masses not to be- witnessed
again for a life time.
Inc LEDaER will keep abreast Of Tao times.
and its readers will See the daily history Of
tho world held up to the mirror" The.
latest news from all quarters will be- rressDte5
in a condensed form and such oomuent
thereon as an intelligent view of the svbiect
may suggest. Tho LEDGER is Of the psople
and for the people. and in full sympathy with
tho labOrinS and tax paying masses. Their
Judgment and their instructive conclusions
When aseertained will be accepted in prefer
ence to the dictum Of politicians or the VII
dom of statesmen. We hold to tAs IA
fashioned ~theOry-that the people are the
sovereigns. and all OHice-hOlders ,,nhl;,
wants, to be rewarded only for . faithful mar
formance Of duty within PR .aoribsd limit.
and condemned for breach of trust or abuse
L.
Of delegated powers. In future, as in the
past. the LEDeEh wiz DO a bold, independent
democratic iOura, a. standing by its party
"n'n risn'' Out ever ready to condemn un-
' men or measures. An earnest en-.
aeaVOr WiD be made during the present year
OOr'vct abuses in public places. to bring
AOou' as strict and careful management Of
tho 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 decidCl
this year. Men and parties will be made md
unmade, and precedents set up that wiz have
a great bearing upon the future politi cal bis.
tory of the country. As a nation of United
states We have made great Pre- gross, but
whether we have preserved intac / the prin.
ciplss of our ancient Constitutions a, is a cues.
ton yet to be decided at tho ballot-bOx.
Whether we really govern ourlelves or ara
governed By party, will be better known
when the voice of the people is heard next
November. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington, a JeHer son and a jackson II
tho Government passes once mere into the
hands of a purely PARTISAN and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found n
choice variety of original and selected mat.
ter adapted to the general reader and the
family circle, and itiz need. oss to say that
notnlAs viii appear 10 offend the taste of tho
Wld rehnod. Tho several
departments Of De paper will be conducted
OS s1psrienos'. journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love with it,
and whS Ap OroOiato public tastes and public
SsnsiAilie .ss. The LEDGER is Democratic. but
emineY tly conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sides and shades of opinion a fair
neaI ing. The editorials will be- live and
pointed. but carefully cOnsidsrate.
Much space Will be devoted to local news
nj topics. Full and accurate river and
market reports will be given each day. And
IL WIZ DO eur constant aim 10 give tho lat