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


Memphis PUBLIC LEBeER announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
teFs upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with { brighter prospects as a lv
Democratic and Conservative Family New
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 transporting, as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented tn 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 ono
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 tho
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
sblest talent Of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen, white
and colered. viii 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 az
Philadelphia. on the Fourth Of July, in the
presence Of thousands Of people from every
State in the Union and representatives of ths
principal nations on earth. 1t will be a year
full of stirring events. an upheaval and com:
m~ingling of the masses not to be witnessed
again for a life time.
The LEDGER will keep abreast of tho times.
and its readers will see the daily history Of
the world held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will DO presented
in a condensed form and such comment:
thereon as an intelligent view of the subject
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the peOpD,
and for the people, and in full sympathy with
the labOring and tax. paying masses. Their
judgment and their instructive conclusions
when ascortained 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, to be rewarded only for a faithful per-
fOrmance of duty within prescribed limit .
and condemned for breach of trust or alb nee.
of delegated powers. In future. as in the.
past. the LEDGER will be a bold, indepe ,ndent
Democratic journal. standing by rs marty
when right. but ever ready to cor ,demn nm
worthy men or measures, An EARNEST on
deavOr will be made during the present veor
to correct abuses in public places, to bring
about as strict and careful manage mant of
the peoples money as in a successful privats,
business. To this end We shall continue to
labor urging economy ami reform at every
possible point without positive injury to the
public service.
Issues of grav'j importance will be decided
this year. Mtn and parties will DO made and
unmade. ard presidents set up that will have
a great bsaring upon the future political his.
tory o. the country. AS a nation of United
States we have made great progress, but.
whether we have preserved intact the prin-
ciplOa of our ancient Constitution, is a ques-
ton yet to DO decided at the ballot-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. 1t will avail us little that we had
a Washington. a Jefferson and a jackson e
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.
tor adapted to the general reader and tho
family circle. and it is needless to saw that
nothing will appear to offend the to ste Of u -.
most cultivated and refined. The nav, 70.
departments of the paper win be -oopdu.c,.a
BY experienced journaD' SITS who follow the
profession because v4oy are in love with IL.
ana who appreciate public tastes and public
sonsiOihtie'' y.ne LEDGER is Democrats. but
'minenuV Or nservativo. and is ever ready to
S'e All sides and shades of opinion a fair
n"4rinE' Tho editorials will be live anu.
pointed, but carefully OOnsidorato.
MI