Background: The Voice of the People was an Antirent  newspaper published in Delhi New York during the height of the Antirent conflict in the Delaware County New York area,  probably from about 1846-1847. The excerpt below is from Vol. II number 53,  June 1, 1847. Since there are only a handful of copies still in existence, little is known about the newspaper. The June 1, 1847  issue consists of one double sided  folded page (for a total of 4 pages) and was edited by William S. Hawley.

The editorial below refers to an upcoming election. On June 7, 1847, when all the votes were tallied, the Antirent ticket came out on top. Edwin Moore defeated Colonel Amasa Parker for County Judge and Surrogate. Eventually the Equal Rights people gained enough support through the political process that the old feudal system of land leases was gradually discontinued and many people were finally able to own the land they farmed.

Into Column, Wheel!

If Anti Renters wish to elevate to power, a man who has always voted and acted against them, let them vote for Amasa Parker; if on the contrary they wish to rebuke those who sought to ruin them, let them, Into column, wheel!

If Anti-Renters wish to sustain the constant reviler and secret slanderer of Equal Rights, let them vote for Amasa Parker; if on the contrary they are not spaniels, to lick the foot that kicked them, let them into column, wheel!

If Anti-Renters are sick of the reforms they have already effected in this county, and wish to pass again under the iron yoke of despotism, let them vote for  Amasa Parker; if not, then into column, wheel!

If Equal Rights men, after having driven the Clique from all minor stations, wish that Clique to retain control of the Bench of our Courts, let them vote for Amasa Parker; if not, then into column, wheel!

If the Equal Rights party be, as the Delhi Clique has declared it to be, a party of murderers, and a reproach to virtue, let its members vote for Amasa Parker; if not, then into column, wheel!

If Equal Rights men are prepared to give up what they already have done towards wholesome and needed reform, and confess judgment against themselves, let them vote for Amasa Parker; if not, into column, wheel!

If Equal Rights men are prepared to bow down in idolatrous worship to their enemies, while they sacrifice their friends, let them vote for Amasa Parker; if not, then into column, wheel!

If Anti Renters wish their paper to go down, if the wish the Express and Gazette to flourish, if they wish the Delhi press should send forth a no note save of opposition to Equal Rights, is they wish to listen again to the insulting taunts of the Nest, if they wish to hear themselves hereafter called fools for believing in the Colonel's Anti Rentism, let them vote for Amasa Parker; if not then let them

Into Column, Wheel! -- Stand by your colors, boldly ! thunder on the rear of his retreating squadrons and teach him again the salutary lesson of submission to his abused but honest rulers -- the People!

Remember the brilliant triumph of '45, when the official account of the battle showed the Equal Rights party triumphant by more than 1000 majority; and the heights of office, where our enemy  has entrenched himself, fallen into our hands! Remember the  Victory of the 28th of April, 1846, when a more glorious success attended our efforts, and a majority of more than 1700 attested the power of our arms, when battling against corruption! Remember the fall election of 1846 where our enemies Santa Anna like, mounted their mules, and fled from the scene of their overthrow, surrendering into the hands the Sheriff's and county Clerks offices -- the guardianship of the Poor, the Treasury of the County, in fact all they had foolishly called their own. Remember these Victories, and cast your votes again for the cause of Equal Rights, -- for the purification of our Courts--for the nominees of the Equal Rights convention.

Original newspaper courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association Archives, 46549 State Hwy 10, Delhi, NY, 13753