Background: The ribbon below is from a Fourth of July Equal Rights Celebration in Bloomville, NY in 1846. It was recently found in a family Bible. The number present was estimated at five to eight thousand. The speaker, Ira Harris, was a lawyer from Albany  who had been elected with the strong support of Anti-Renters. 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.

Transcription of poem at the top of the ribbon:

When freedom from the mountain height,

Unfurled the Standard to the air

She tore the azure robe of Night

And set the Stars of Glory there

Transcription from bottom of ribbon:

OUR MOTTO:

"LIBERTY COMPLETE!"

"The good time WILL come -- God favors the RIGHT"

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Original ribbon courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association Archives, Delhi, NY