Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-03
The Centennial Ledger

mcmpnlb EUbLlO LkD0hk announces Win
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
ters upon the Centennial year of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a liv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
c%ilitiss for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number Of readers than over before.
The people are aroused to the importance OF
the events now transpirins. as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented tn 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 on.
branch of Congress, and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing a bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
msnt. Within the year two candidates will
DO nominated for the Presidency, and tn,
people. in their sovereign capacity, will cleo.
a President and Vice President, and in manv
Of the States, as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor. Congressmen. 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 isroine
on. The Centennial of our independence will
be inaugura.ed with imposing ceremonies AZ
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. It will be- a year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and com.
m~ingling of the masses not to DO 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 comment
thereon as an intelligent view of the subiect
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 prss,r-
ence to the dictum of politicians or the wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned theory-that the people are the
sOvsreigns, and all Ofice-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faith
formanOe of duty within prescribe /.
and condemned for breach of trus
of delegated powers. In future. as
past. the LEDsER will be a bold. indeuenden
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, 10 bring
about as strict and careful management OF
the peoples money as in a successful private
business. To this end we shall continue 10
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 be made and
unmade, and presidents set up that will have
a great bearing upon the future political his.
tory Of the country. As a nation of United
States we have made great progress, bu,
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 arc
governed by party, will DO 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
the Government passes once mere into the
q hands of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found i,
choice variety Of original and selected mar
ter adapted to the general reader and N,
family circle. and it is needless to saw that
s nothing will appear to offend the taste of III,
most cultivated and refined. The sovora
departments of the paper will be conduote,
D.. by experienced journalists who follow tn,
profession because they are in love With it
and who appreciate public tastes and publ,
senSibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu.
eminently conservative. and is ever ready e
g give all sides and shades Of opinion a ,ai
hearing. The editorials will bo live anc