Year: 1876

F-~N~@~~N- = - 1-A~N 4AN W 0chAI
Memphis PvBEIc LRDsEH announces with
pleasure and confidence that this paper en-
tors upon the Centennial year Of our National
sTistence with brighter prospects as a live
Democrats and Conservative Family News
paper than at any former period.


We are supplisd with the best modern ia
eilitIOs 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 end love; Houses in Congress
being controlled respectively by opposite pO-
liticol parties. For the first time since 1860
the Democrats and Conservatives control ono
branch Of Congress. aud 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
a President and Vice President. and in many
Of the States, ss in Tennessee. elect Cover
nor. Congressmen. members Of the General
Assembly and important local officers. Tho
abIest talent Of the nation will be arrayod on
both sides. Every intelligent citizen, white
and cOlCred, will desire to be informed from
day to day and week to week of what is going
on. The Centennial Of our independence win
be insuEurated with imposing ceremonies at
Philadelphia, on tho Fourth Of July, in the
presence Of Thousands Of people from every
State in the Union and representatives of the
priucipa. nations on earth. 1t will be a year
full Of stirring events. an upheaval and COM
minSlins Of the masses not to bo Witnessed
again for life time.


The LEDGER viii keep abreast Of the times.
aad its readers will 500 the daily history Of
tho world "held up to the mirror" The
latest news from all quarters viii be presented
In condensed form and such comment
thereon as An intelligent view Of the subject
may suggest. The LEDaRR is Of the people
and for the people, and In full sympathy with
the labOrins and tax-pSying 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 the
soyereigns. and oil ofice-holders public SER
wants. TO berewarded only for faithful per-
fOrmsnce of duty within prescribed limits,
and condemned for breach Of trust or abuse
of delegated powers. In future. as in the
past. tae LRDoER will be bold, independent
Democratic journal. standing by its party
when right, but ever ready to condemn un-
worthy men q measures. An earnest en-
deaVor will be made during tho 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 bo decided
this year. Men and parties will be made and
unuado. and presidents set up that will have
great bearing upon the future political his
tory Of tho country. As nation of United
States we have made great progress. but
whether So have preserved intact the prin-
ciples Of our ancient Constitution, is a Ques-
ton yet TO be decided at tho balot-bOx.
WhOtAer we really govern ourselves or are
governed BY party, will be better known
when the voice Of the people is heard next
November. twill avail us littls that we had
a Washington, jefferson and Jackson if
the Government passes once mere into tho
hands Of purely partisan and sectional
administration.


IN our columns will always be found
choice variety Of original and selected mat
ter adopted to tho general reader and tho
family SirolO, and it Is needless to say that
nothing will appear to offend the taste of the