150-YEARS-AGO -- 1860 ELECTION CAMPAIGN

THE CONSTITUTIONAL [ALEXANDRIA, LA], September 1, 1860, p. 2, c. 4

[From the the UT Tyler digital archives]
The Pole Raising.

Bell-Everett Flag (Library of Congress)

It was apparent to the most casual observers on Saturday last, that something unusual was about to occur to break in upon the dull monotony of our town. At an early hour in the day people commenced coming in from the country and by 12 o'clock quite a large and respectable crowd had gathered to assist in raising the Bell and Everett pole, announced to take place at this hour. . . .

Shortly after the conclusion of the last address, amid the shouts of the multitude and the booming of cannon, the pole was elevated to its position, and the national ensign was unfurled to the breeze, having inscribed upon it the names of Bell and Everett.

Upon the summit of the pole, 125 feet high, is placed a gilded figure of a bell. Some of our Democratic friends, with a puerile attempt to be witty, remarked that it has no clapper. Their favorite figure has been a rooster, but we never heard that the figure crowed, and now that the Democracy is divided, we have yet to learn which faction owns the famous rooster.

Our figure is but symbolical of that great National Bell which will ring out in November next, on occasion of the mighty resurrection of dry bones among which there is now such a shaking.

The proceedings of the day were characterized by much enthusiasm, convincing all that Bell and Everett have a deep hold upon the hearts of the people.