Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-12
The Centennial Ledger


existence withEbriEhtsr prospects as a lv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
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 transDiring. as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented 70 the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite po-
Htical 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
msnt. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency, and the
people. in their sovereign capacity. will elect
q 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 oolored, 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 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 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 LEDeER 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 asOertained 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 tho
sOvsreigns. and all Ofice-hOlders public SER
wants, TO be rewarded only for a faithful per-
formance of duty within prescribed limits,
, and condemned for breach of trust or abuse
Of delegated powers. In future. as in the
past. the LEDGER will be a bold. independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
whom 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, to bring
about as strict and careful management 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 DO decided
this year. Men and parties will DO made and
unmade. and presidents set up that will have
q great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. AS a nation of United
States we have made great progress, but
whether we have preserved intact the prin.
ciplSs Of our ancient Constitution, is a ques.
ton yet to bo decided at the ballot-bor.
Whether We really govern ourselves or arc
governed by party. will DO better known
when the voice of the people is heard next
D November. 1t will avail US little that we had
a Washington, a Jefferson and a jackson 4
the Government passes once mere into the
hands Of a purely partisan and sectiona.
administration.
In our columns will always be found a
. choice variety Of original and selected mat.
tor adapted to the general reader and tn,
family circle, and 1t is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of tn,
most cultivated and refined. The severa.
departments Of the paper will be conducted
by experienced journalists who follow tn,
profession because they are in love with it
5. and who appreciate public tastes and pub,i,
sonsibilitios. The LEDGER is Democratic. bu
eminsntly conservative, and is ever ready I,
give all sides and shades Of opinion a fai
n hearing. The editorials will DO live ant
pointed. but carefully cOnsidsrato.
Much space will be devoted to local new
and topics. Full and accurate river an,
market reports will DO given each day. Ant