Year: 1876

Il


We are 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 trsnspiring. as well as those


that happened 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-


htieal parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control one


branch Of Congress, and the ablest modern
statesmen are playing bold and desperate
game for 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 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 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. 1t will be year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and com
mingling Of the masses not to be witnessed
again for life time.


The LEDGER will keep abreast of the times
and its readers will see the daily history of
the world held up to the mirror" Tho
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 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 theory-that the people are tho
sovereigns, and all ofice-holders public SER
wants. to be rewarded only for faithful per-
fotmancs 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 bo bold, independen.
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, to bring
about as strict and careful management of
the peoples money as in a 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.


Issues Of grave importance will be decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unmads. and Drecedents set up that will have
great bearing upon the future political his
tory of the country. AS natien of United
States we have made great progress, but
whether we :havs preserved intact the prin-
ciples Of our ancient Constitution, is a cues
tion yet to be decided at the ballot.box.
Whetaer 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 ws,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 a
choice variety of original and selected mat
ter adapted to the general reader and tho
family circle, and it is needless to say that
nothing will appear p 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
sensibilities. The LEDGER is Democratic. but
eminontly conservative, aud is ever ready to
give all sides and shades of opinion fair
hearing. The editorials will be live and
pointed, but carefully cOnsiderate.


Much space viii bo devoted to local news
and topics. Full and accurate river and
market reports will bs given each day. And
it will bs our constant aim to give the latest
and most accurate news on all subjects. and
to be considered reliable and safe advisor