Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-03
The Centennial Ledger

Memphis PUBLIC LEBeER with
and confidence that this paper en-
upon the Centennial year of our National
with brighter prospects as a liv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
for publishing q newspaper and reach
. larger number of readers than ever before.
ThepeOple are aroused to the importance of
the events now tranapiring. as well as those
that happened q 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 tho 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. Congressmen. 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 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 tho
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 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
when ascertained 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 the
sovsreigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants. 10 DO rewarded only for a faithful per-
Torrance 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
when right, but ever ready to condemn un.
worthy men or measures. An earnest on,
deaVor will be made during the present yeal
to correct abuses in public places. to brinl
about as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money as in a successful private
business. To this end we shall continue Il
labor. urging economy and reform at ever.
possible point without positive injury to thu
public service.
Issues Of grave importance will be decide,
this year. Men and parties will be made an,
unmado. and presidents set up that win hav'
a great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. As a nation Of Unite
States we have made great progress, bu
whether we have preserved intact the prin
ciplOS Of our ancient Constitution. is a ques
ton yet to be decided at the balIot-box
Whether we really govern ourselves or ar
governed by party, will be better know
when the voice of the people is heard mex
November. 1t will avail us little that VIC ha
a Washington, q Jefferson and a Jackson
the Government passes once mere into tn
hands Of a purely partisan and ~sectiona
administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety Of original and selected mai
ter adapted to the general reader and th
family circle. and it is needless to say tina
nothing will appear to offend the taste of th
most cultivated and refined. The sewers
departments of the paper viii be conducte
by experienced journalists who follow tn
profession because they are in love with il
}. and who appreciate public tastes and publ
sensibilitiOs. The LEDGER is Democratic. br
sminently conservative. and is ever ready |
give all sides and shades of opinion a faI
4 hearing. The editorials will DO live an
pointed. but carefully ~considerate.
Much space will be devoted to local New