Year: 1876

; "-e1 SA-aee~A PAOebCoto rs q i've
Democratic and Conservative Family News
paper than st any former period.
Wsars supplied with the best modern ia


eilities for publishing newspaper and reach
larger number Of readers than ever before.


The people are aroused to the importance of


the events now transpirins, as we'll as those


that happened a 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.


litieal parties. For the first time since 1850


ths Democrats aud Conservatives control one


branch Of Congress, and the ablest 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. 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 ia going
on. The Centennial of our independence will
be inauSuratsd 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. It will bo year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
minslins Of the masses not to be witnessed
again for life time.


The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times,
and It's readers will SEQ the daily history Of
the world held up to the mirrsr." 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 LEDoER is of the people
and for the people. and in full sympathy with
the iAbOring 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 peeple are the
sovereigns. and all Ofics-holders public ser
wants, to be rewarded only for faithful per-
fosmauce 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 bold. Independent
Democratic journal, standing by its party
when right, buteve ready to condemn un-
worthy men sr measures. An earnest en-
deavOr will be made during the present yonr
to correct abuses in public places, to bring
about as strict and careful management Of
the peoples money as in successful private
business. To this end we shall continue to.
labor. urging economy and reform at every
possible point without positive injury to the
public service.


Ipsues Of grave importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
Snmads, and preeedsns set up that will have
great bearing upon the future political his
tory of the country. As a nation of United
States we have madO great progress, bus
whether we have preserved intact the pria.-
ciples of our ancient Constitution, is Ques-
ton yet to be decided at the ballot.box.
Whether we really govern ourselves or are
governed by party, will be better known
vhsR the voice of the people is heard next
NOVemSer. 1t will avail us little that we had
Washington, Jefferson and Jackson II
the Government passes once mere into che,
hands of purely partisan and sectional



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
will appear to offend the taste Of the
most cultivated and refined. The several
departments Of the paper will be conducted
By experienced journalists who follow the
profession because they are in love with it.
and who appreciate public tastes and public
leRsiAilities. The LEDGER is Democratic, but
'minently conservative, aud is ever ready to
rive all sides and shades OF opinion fair
hearing The editorials will be live and
pointed. but carefully considorats.


Much space will be devoted to local news
md topics. Full and accurate river and.