Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-04
The CentsnniaIIedgs

tiers upon the centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family Nsvp-
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 trauspiriAS. 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-
liticalparties. 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 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 Cover
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 colOrOd. will desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week Of wha. Is going
on. The Centennial of our independence viii
be inauSurated with imposing ceremonies at
Philadolphia. 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. It will be n year
full of stirring events. an upheaval and com.
minglins Of the masses not to be- Witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast Of the timos
and its readers will see the daily history Of
the world held up 10 the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will DO presented
in a condensed form and such eomusnt
thereon as an intelligent view of the subiscs
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the people
and for the people. and in full uympathy with
the labOrins and tax paying masses. Their
judgment and their instructive conclusions
when sScertained will be accepted in prefer
ence to the diotum of politicians or the wis
dom Of statesmen. We hold to Tie old
fashioned theOry-that the people are the
sOvereisns, 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 thu
past. the LsDeER viii DO a bold. indeponden,
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn up-
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-.
deavor will be made during tho present year
TO correct abuses in public places, to bring
about'as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money 81 in a successful private
business. To this end We shalt continue to
labor. urging economy and reform at every
pos ible point without positive injury TO the
public service. Il
Issues Of grave importance will DO DECIDED
this year. Men and parties will be mode and
unmade. and presidents sOt up that will have
a 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-
oiplOs Of our ancient Constitution, is a ou0s-
ton yet 10 be decided at the balIot.box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or are
governed BY party. will be better known
when the voice Of the people is heard next
November. It will avail us little that we had
a Washington, q Jefferson and a Jackson If
the Government passes once mere into the
hands Of a purely partisan and sectional
administration.
In our columns will always be found a
choice variety of original and selected mat.
ter adapted to the general reader and the
family circle. and it's needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of IN.
most cultivated and refined. The several,
departments Of the paper will be conducted
BY experienced journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love with H..
and who appreciate public tastes and public
'onSibilities. The LEDeER is Democratic. but
'minenay conservative. and is ever ready to-
give all sides and shades of opinion a fair
hearing The editorials viii DO live and
pointed. but carefully cOnsidorats.
Much space viii b devoted to local news
and topics Full and accurate river and
market reports Will be rivnn asoL a.