Year: 1876

sIiStenos 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
cilitiss for PUBLISHING newspaper and reach
alASgsr number Of readers than ever before.
The peepiears aroused to the Importance OF
the events nov transpirlng. as woll as those
that happened hundred years ago. The
unusuL 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 1867
the Democrats and Conservatives control ono
branch Of Congress, and the ablsst modern
statesmen are playing bold and desperate
game for the political control of the Govern
ment. Within the year two candidates will
be nominated for the Presidency. and the
people. In their sovereign capacity, will elect
President and Vice President. and in many
Of the States. as in Tennessee. elect Cover
nor. cOnErsssmen. members Of the General
Assembly and important local officers. The
ablsst talent Of the nation will be arrayed on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen, white
aud celOred. will desire to be informed from
day TO day and week to week of what is going
on. The Centennial of our Indepen denee will
be lnsuSurated With imposing ceremonies at
Philadelphls, 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. I. will be year
full Of stirring events, an upheaval and com
minsIins Of the masses not TO be witnessed
again for life time.


The LSpsEs win keep abreast Of the times
snaits readers will see the daily history of
the world held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters will be presented
in 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 lsboring and tax.paying masses. Their
iudEment and their instructive conclusions
whom Ascertained will be accepted in prefer
enee to the dictum Of politicians or the wis
dom Of statesmen. We hold to the old
fashioned thoory-that the people are the
sovereiEns, and all Ofice-holders public SER
wants. TO be rewarded only for faithful per-
formanee Of duty within prescribed limits,
and condemned for breach Of trust or abuse
Of delegated powers. In future. as in the
past. the LRDGER will be bold. independent
Democratic journal, standing BY its party
when right. but ever ready to condemn un-
worthy men or measures. An earnest en-
deavor will be made during the present year
TO correct abuses in public places. 10 bring
about as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money as in a successful private
bdslnoss. To this end we shall continue to
labor. urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to the
public service.


Issues Of grave Importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmade. and prscedsnts set up that will have
a groat bearing upon the future political his
tory Of the country. AS natien of United
States we have made great progress, but
whether we have preserved intact the prin-
ciples Of our ancient Constitution. is q ques-
tion yOt to be decided at the ballot-box.
Whether wo really govern ourselves or ara
governed by party. will bs better known
whom the voice Of the people is heard next
November. It will avail us little that we had
Washington, Jefferson and Jackson if
the Government passes once mere into the
hands Of purely partisan and sectional
administration.


In our columns will always be found
choice variety Of original and selected mat
ter adapted to the general reader and the
family circle, and it Is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments Of the paper win be conducted
By experienced jOurnslists who follow the
profession because they are in love with It.
and who appreciate public tastes and public
senSibilities. The LEDeER ia Democratic. but
eminently conservative. aud is ever rOady to
give ell sides and shades Of opinion fair
hearing. The editorials will bo live and
pointed. but carefully cOnsiderate.
Much space viii bs devoted to local news
and topics. Full and accurate river and
market reports will be Ivsn each day. And
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