Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-19
The Centennial Ledger

IN OVA
The proprietor of the Daily and Weekly
Memphis PUBLIC LEDGER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tors upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a hv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
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 transporting, 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 1860
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
ment. Within the year two candidates will
DO 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 a Cove
nor. Congressman. 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 il going
on. The Centennial Of our independence will
be inaugura.sd 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 DO presented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view of the subject
g. 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 wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old
err, fashioned theOry-that the people are the
sOvSreigns, and all ofice-holders public ser.
wants, to be rewarded only for a faith
Torrance of duty within prescribe mits,
~ and condemned for breach of trust
Of delegated powers. In future. as
past. the LEDGER will be a bold. indApendOn
Democratic journal, standing by its part,
when right, but ever ready to condemn un.
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
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
)S business. To this end We shall continue +
labor. urging economy and reform at ever
possible point without positive injury n tn
public service.
Issues of grave importance will be decide
this year. Men and parties will be made an
!, unmade, and presidents SGT up that will hay
a great bearing upon the future political hi
10, tory of the country. As a nation of Unite
States we have made great progress, b.
whether we have preserved intact the prir
ciples of our ancient Constitution, is a que
ton yet to DO decided at the ballot-boI
Whether we really govern ourselves or a
governed by party. will DO better know
whom the voice of the people is heard ne,
10 November. 1t will avail us little that we h1
q Washington, a Jefferson and a Jackson
the Government passes once mere into Il
hands of a purely partisan and section
administration.
In our columns will always be found
~ choice variety Of original and selected ms
ter adapted to the general reader and t
family circle, and it is needless to say III
nothing will appear to offend the taste of
most cultivated and refined. The sevei
departments of the paper win DO conduct
by experienced Journalists who follow
profession because they are in love with