Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-24
The Centennial Ledger


The proprietor Of the Daily and Weekly
Memphis PUBLIC LEDsER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tiers upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a lv
Democratic md Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
c%ilities for publishing a newspaper and reach
a larger number of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused to tho Importance Of
the events now transpiring. as we'll as those
that happened a hundred years ago. Tho
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
game for the political control Of the Govern
msnt. Within the year two candidates viii!
be nominated for the Presidency. and thu
people, in their sovereign capacity. will elect
a President and Vice President. and in many
Of the States. as in Tennessee. elect a Cove
nor. Congressmen. members of the General
Assembly and important local .%eficers. The
@ 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 wilt
be inaugura.ed 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
Y 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
&. whom ascertainod 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
sovereigns. and all ofioe-hOlders public ser.
u wants. to be rewarded only for a faith
formance of duty within prescribe
~ and condemned for breach Of trus
of delegated powers. In future. a.,
past. the LEDGER will be a bold. iD dppsndep
Democratic journal, standing BY its part
~ when right, but ever ready TO condemn nm
worthy men or measures. An earnest on
deavOr will be made during the present yea
to correct abuses in public places, to brin
about as strict and careful management o
the peoples money as in a successful privat
business. To this end we shall continue b
labor. urging economy and reform at ever
, possible point without positive injury to tn
public service.
Issues of grave importance will DO decids
this year. Men and parties will be made an
unmade. and procedonts set up that will hav
a great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. As a nation Of Unite
States we have made great progress, bu
whether we have preserved intact the prir
ciplss Of our ancient Constitution, is a que,
~ tiop yet to be decided at the ballot-boz
Whether we really govern ourselves or ar
governed by party, will be better know
when the voice of the people is heard ne1
November. 1t will avail US little that we ha
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
the Government passes once mere into "a
NO. hands Of a purely partisan and section,
administration.
In our columns will always be foV -
choice variety Of original and seloor
tor adapted to the general reader
"0ui's9 to say t
IS. nothing will appear to OGsnde a ..,oos
most cultivated and refine d. The sew,
departments Of the paper will be conduc
" experienced jOurnaIiS IS who follow
profession because they are in love with
and who appreciate pub lie tastOs and pu
GUS %OilitiOs. The LEDf iKR is Democratic.
minentlr conservative ). and Is over road