Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-13
The Centennial Ledger

Memphis PUBLIC LEssER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper On
upon the Centennial year Of our National
with brighter prospects as q liV
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper 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 ever before.
The people are aroused to the Importance Of
the events now transpiring, 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 POI
litical parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control ono
branch of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing a bold and desperate
game for tho political control Of the Govern
msnt. Within the year two candidates will
be 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 q 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 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
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 the
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 LEDGER 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 7Sis-
dom Of statesmen. We hold to the old
;, fashioned theory-that the people are the
sovOreigns, and all ofice-holdors public SER
wants, to be 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. independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when 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
tho peoples money as in a successful private
5 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 DO made and
unmade. and precedents set up that will have
a great bearing upon the future political his.
tory Of the country. As q nation of United
States we have made great progress. bU
whether we have preserved intact the r,rin
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is n oue,
ton yet to be- decided at the ballot.box
Whether we really govern ourselves or ar
governed by party, will be- better know
when the voice Of tho people is heard neS
p November. 1t will avail US little that We ha
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into tb
hands Of a purely partisan and s%ectiona
administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety of original and selected mai
tor adapted to the general reader and n
family circle, and it is needless to say tina
nothing will appear to offend the taste of q
most cultivated and refined. The sever.
departments of the paper will bo conducte
by experienced journalists who follow tn
profession because they are in love with f.
-. and who appreciate public tastes and publ
Son'ibilities. Tho LEDGER is Democratic. br
smin'ntly conservative. and is ever ready I
give all sides and shades of opinion a ht
an hearing. The editorials will DO live an