Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-01
VOLUME XIV.

ence and enters to-day upon volume
twenty-four. We say %eventful, be-
cause it has passed through an
eyentful period in the political aud
financial history of the country,
and in an humble but earnest way
has grappled with the living issues
of the day. We have stood by the
right as it seemed to be, acted with
the party of sound Democratic prin-
ciples and progressive ideas, and
sought to promote the best interests
Of the people in general. The ma
terial success of this paper has been
equal to any in the South started
under similar circumstances. 1t
has worked its way slowly but
surely through many difficulties
aud periods of public depression.
Looking back over the past ten or
twelve years we see the wrecks Of
many journals that started out with
high hopes and streaming banners.
We do not recur to this with pleas
ure, for it is an evidence Of the
shrinkage of values and the
contraction that has been quiet
ly going on all these years.
That the LEDGER survives and
prospers and is established as a
feature Of Memphis beyond con-
tingency is owing first to pluck and
nerve and q rigid adherence to bus
mess principles; and secondly, to
the liberal support Of a generous
public. With the valuable expert
ence of the past and increasing fa-
cilities for making a paper what it
should be to an active, intelligent
community-a faithful exponent,
ga mirror of busy life" a crystal
lied reflex of public sentiment-we
start forward from this mile-post
on our way with renewed confidence
and energy. By a fair, straight
forward course we hope to still
further promote thepublic good, and
in due course of time to enter upon
an enlarged sphere ofusefulness and
influence. 1t is needless to make
new promises to our readers. WO
shall treat every question upon its
merits, and PREJUDICE no man. Fair
ness toward political opponents, as
well as independence in dealing with
our own party, shall be, as in the
past, the distinguishing policy of
the LEDGER. We have acted in
good faith in the Democratic party,
supporting Seymour, Greeley and
Tilden, all from New York,
for the Presidency, and nearly
all the State and county nom
ineeS for Office within this
period, but when it becomes
necessary to criticise the action of
public men, the fact that they be-
long to any particular party will
not spare them. The Democratic
party is essentially one of good
faith; it has shown this in all its
dealings with the colored race Of
the South; in legislation and in it's
recent action in abiding by the de.
cision in favor Of a minority candi.
date for President, although oh.
tanned by unfair means, and as long
as parties face each other upon
their present grounds, so long shall
we uphold the Democratic cause
The country has passed through &
period of great and protracted ex.
element. The centennial year ant
the Presidential election coming to.
gether at a time of financial de
preston stirred the people up to
supreme endeavor. Never wert
such efforts put forth on both side.
to carry an election. The strain
was SO great that serious a%pprehen.
sions filled many minds for tho
safety and strength Of our in.
situations. The crisis has passed.
although the result is MOI
as we would have it. But all goot
citizens will acquiescc, and we may
hope at least for a period of repos(
from political strife, asettling down
and a return to the peaceful avoca.
tons of life. The army can look
after the Indians again, and ex.
p%ectant volunteers lock up theil
armories and return to the field and
the shop. Seed time and harvest
will como again, and those who SOW
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