Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-02-04
The Centennial Ledger

pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tors upon.the Centennial year Of our National
OJiSsence with brighter prospects as live
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.
Wesre supplied with the best modern ia
cilitis' for publishing Newspaper and reach
larger number of readers than ever before.
The peoples are aroused TO the importance Of
the events now transpiring. as we'll as thoee
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented to the country
Of the upper aud lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite. po-
lit!cal parties. For the first time since 1860
tho Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing 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, ia their sovereign capacity, will elect
a President and Vice President. and in many
Of the states. ss In Tennessee. elect Cover
nor. Congre@men. 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 eOlOred. will desire to be informed from
day TO day and week to week of what is going
on. Tho Centennial Of our Independence viii
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 natiOnson earth. It will bc year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
minslinE of the masses not to be- witnessed
ssAin for life time.
The LsDsSR viii keep abreast of the times,
and ih readers will SEQ the daily history of
the world "hsld up to the mirrsr.'' The
latest news from all quarters will bO presented
IN condensed form and such comment
thereon as an intelligent view Of the subjee.
may suggest. The LEDGRR 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 Ascsrtained will be accepted in prefer
ence to the dictum Of politicians or the Wis
dom Of statesmen. We hold 10 the old.
fashioned thoOry-that the people are the
SoYereigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants. 10 be rewarded only for faithful per-
fOrmaneO Of duty within prescribed limits,
and condemned for breach Of trust or abuse
Of delegated powers. In future. as in the
past. the LRDoER will be bold. Independent
Democratic journal, standing BY its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn un-
worthy men sr measures. An earnest en-.
!dsavOr will be made during the present year
to correct abuses in public places, to bring
about As strict and careful managemen. Of
the peoples money as in 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 grave importance will be decided
this year. Mem and parties will be made and
nnmAde. and precedents set up that will have
great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. As nation Of United
States We have made great progress. but
whether We have preserved intact the prin-
'iples Of our ancient Constitution, is ques
lion set to be decided at the ballot-box.
Whether We really govern ourselves or are
governed by party. will bo bottOr known
WheR the voice Of the people is heard next
November. twill avail US little that We had
! Washington, Jefferson and Jackson ii
'hs Government passes once mere into the
Aands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns. will always be found
'hoies varisty Of original and selected mat.
Ter sdspted to'ths general reader snd the
Isniiy circle, and It Is needless to cay that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments Of the paper will be conducted
" experienced journalists who follow the
'rOfossiOn because they are in love with it.
nd who appreciate public tastes and public
ensbilities. The LsDORR is Democratic. but
'miusutly conservative. and is ever ready 10
i've all sIdss and shades of opinion a fair
rearing. Tho editorials will be live and