Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-14
The Centennial Ledger

Aemphis 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 liv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
%cilitiss 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 transporting. 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 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control one I
branch Of Congress. and the ablest modern (
statesmen are playing a bold n 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 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 officers. The
ablost 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 is going
on. The Centennial of our independence will
be inaugura.ed with imposing ceremonieu aS
Philadelphia, on the Fourth of July. in tho
presence of thousands of people from every
State in the Union and representatives of the
principal nations on earth, 1t will DO a year
full of stirring events. an upheavaI and com.
mingling of the masses not to DO witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDeER will keep abreast Of the times.
and its readers will SOC tho daily history Of
tho world held up to the mirror" Tho
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
skVhen ascortainod will be accepted in prefer
ence to the dictum Of politicians or the wis
dom of statesmen. We hold to the old.
fashioned tbeOry-that the people arc the
sOv0reigns, and all odice-holders pubic ser
wants, to be rewarded only for a faith
formanco of duty within prescribe t.
and condemned for breach Of trus
of delegated powers. In future. as
past. tho LEDGER will be a bold. independeu
Democratic journal, standing by its party
8 when right, but evor ready to condemn un-
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deavor will be made during tho present yoac
to correct abuses in public places, to bring
about as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money as in a successful private
business. To this end We shall continue to
labor urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to thu,
public service.
" Issues Of grave importance will DO do ,ided
this year. Mon and parties will be ma ia and
unmade, and procedents set up that ' iii have
a great bearing upon the future pOP .tioaI h;s.
tory Of the country. As a nation of United
States we have made great p ,orress. but
whether we have preserved in act the prin.
ciplSs Of our ancient Constitution, is a quos.
. ton yOt to be doci9.od at the ballot-box.
Whether wo really govern ourselves or nrc
governed by pS.rty, will DO better known
whom the voice of the people is heard noxI
November, 1t will avail US little that we had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson
tho Government passes once mere into the
- hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
- administration
Ia our columns will always be found a
choice variety of original and selected mat
tor adapted to the general reader and the
family circle, and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste Of the
most cultivated and refined. The several
Va eo papoI VIII DC conducted
by experienced journalists who follow til,
profession because they are in love with il,
and who appreciate public tastOs and public
sonSibilitios. The LEDGER is Democratic. but
eminontly conservative. and is ever ready to
give all sides and shades of opinion q fair
hearing The editorials will DO live and
pointed. but carefully considOrate.