Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-27
The Centennial Ledger

AoMPhAe ASDAN AASVhh
and confidence that this paper en-
upon the Centennial year Of our National
existence with brighter prospects as a live
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.
We are supplied with the best modern ia
cilities for publishing a newspaper and reach
q larger number Of readers than ever before.
The people are aroused TO the importance of
the events now transpiriAs, as well as those
that happened a hundred years ago. The
unusual spectacle is presented IN the country
Of the upper and lower Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite pO-
litical parties. For the FIRST time since 1850
the Democrats and Conservatives control one
branch Of Congress. and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing q bold and desperate
game fer the political control Of the Govern
mOnt. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency, and the
people, in their sovereign capacity, will elect
a President and Vice President, and in many
Of the States. as in Tennessee. elect q Cove
nor. congressman. members Of the General
Assembly and important local sficers. 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 the
principal nations on earth. It will be a year
full Of stirring events. an upheayal and COM
m%ingling 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 tho mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will be presented
in a condensed form and such comment
thereOras an intelligent view of the subject
may suggest. The LEDGER is of the people
and for the people. and in full sympathy with
the labOrins 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 t~heOry-that the people are the
sovereigns, and all O6ice.hOlders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for a faithful per.
Torrance of duty within prescribed limits.
and condemned for breach of trust or abuse
Of delegated overs. In future. as in the
past. the LEDeSR will be bold, independent
Democratic journal. standing by its party
whom right. but ever ready to condemn un-
worthy men Or measures. An earnest az =,
deavor will be made during the present ' ,oo
to correct abuses in public places, to hr;r,
about as strict and careful manager .opt o
the peoples none as in a successful privat,
business. To this end We shall q ,ntinus Il
labor. urging economy and refOrm at ever,
possible point without positive injury to tn,
public service.
Issue. Of grave Importance will be decide,
this year. Men and parties will be- made anc
unmade. and presidents set up that will havI
q great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. As a nation Of Unitet
States we have made great progress, bur
whether we have preserved intact the prin
; ciplsa of our ancient Constitution, is a ques
ton yet to be decided at the ballot.boy
Whether we really govern ourselves or ,ar
! governed BY party. will be better KIN, wv
, when the voice Of the people is heard ne,
s November. 1t will avail us little that W o ha
! a Washington. a Jefferson and a Jacl son
the Government passes once mere il Ito tn
hands of a purely partisan and sections
l administration.
In our columns will always be found
choice variety Of original and selected mat
ter adapted to the general reader and tn
: family circle. and it is needless to say tina
nothing will appear to offend the taste of tn
2 2 most cultivated and refined. The ssvera
departments Of the paper will bo conducte,
by experienced Journalists who follow tn,
profession because they are in love with It
: and who appreciate public tastes and publ,
ssnSibilitiss. The LEDGER is Democratic. buI
2 eminsntly conservative. and is ever ready tc
give all sidss and shades of opinion a fail
Z hearing. The editorials will be live and
pointed. but carefully considerable.