On July 4, 1853, Bloomer was invited to give an address in Harford, New York
In theLilyof July 15, 1853, she recalls the day with pride, describing how she
was escorted to the platform by a contingent of women "tastefully attired in the
Bloomer dress." Bloomer was honored at a dinner that evening and the
Bloomer costume itself was the subject of a toast and poem:

The Bloomer Costume--The most appropriate as
well as the most convenient dress for ladies--
May it soon become their universal costume.

Let sickly ladies talk and flirt,
And tell their paper passion,
Amid those trailing, draggling skirts
Because it is the fashion;
But givemethe gay and sprightly lass
Who"pants"for health so blooming,
For her I'd fill the flowing glass
And shout "huzza! for bloomers!"

This address begins by reviewing American history and progress in the
seventy-seven years since the Declaration of Independence. Bloomer praises the
physical progress of America's growth from thirteen colonies to thirty-one states
and the developments of railroad and steamboat transportation. In the passages
here, she discusses the "intellectual, moral and religious" developments in
America and decries the two "national and individual sins" of slavery and
intemperance. She concludes with a plea for a new declaration of indepen-
dence from the tyranny of intemperance.

. . . But while our physical progress has been such as may well excite our
wonder, and call forth the admiration of the world, may we not claim also
that in that higher and nobler sense, the development of the intellectual,
moral, and religious portions of man's nature, our country stands first among
the nations of the world? Not that we are without our sins, both individual
and national. Alas! we have too many of both to answer for, and one of
these to which I shall presently call your attention, we have come here this
day to consider. But yet, I repeat, that while this is so, the people of the
United States stand this day before the world first in intelligence, first in
moral worth, first in religious freedom, and first in all those qualities which
tend to elevate and humanize the race. Here the press is free--here religion
is free--here the school house stands open to all, and heaven grant that it

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