Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-13
The Centennial Ledger

Democratic and Conservative Family News
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 Of
the events now transpiriRg, 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 pO-
litical parties. For the first time since 1850
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress, and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing a bold and desperate
gam for the political control Of the Govern
ment. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency. and the
people. in their sovereign capacity. will elect
APresidentand Vice President. and in many
Of the States, as in Tennessee. elect a Cover
nor, Congressman. members of the General
Assembly and important local officers. The
ablest talent of the nation will be arrayed on
."M..
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 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. 1. will be- a year
full of stirring events, an upheaval and con
m~inglins 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 ascertainod will be accepted in prefer
enoe to the dictum Of politicians or the wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the OLD
fashioned theory-thst the people are the
sovereigns, and all o~fice-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, indepenaon,
Democratic journal, standing by its pArty
when right, but over ready to condsr,n I'M
worthy men sr measures. An eaynest an.
deavOr will be made during tho p resent year
to correct abuses in public pElces. to bring
about as strict and careful management of
the peoples money as in o. 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 crave Importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and presidents set up that win have
a great bearing Upon the future political his-
tory Of the country. As a nation of United
States WI have made great progress, but
whether we have preserved intact the prin-
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is a cues
ton yet to be decided at the ballot.box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or are
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 Jefferson and a jackson il
I the Government passes once mere into the
hands of a purely partisan and sectional
! administration.
In our columns will always be found 4
choice variety Of original and selected mat.
ter adapted to the general reader and III,
' family circle. and it is needless 70 ssy tina,
t nothing will appear to offend the taste Of N,
2 most cultivated and re1ned. The ssveral
. departments of the 0Apor win be conducted
. By experienced Journalists who follow tn,
/ profession because they arc in love with It.
l and uAS appreciate public tastes and public
'epsibilitiOs. The LEDGER is Democratic. but
|, sminsndS conservative. and is ever ready to
9 give all sides and shades of opinion a fair
8 hearing The editorials will be live and
: pointed. but carefully cOnsidorstO.
! Much space will be devoted to local nav.
and topics. Full and accurate ri %,
3 market reports will bo given each DAY. 40,
. it will be our constant aim to g'.y. thu ,.,,,