150--Years-AGO -- MORE ON NEW ORLEANS SECESSION REACTION



(Illustration from Harper's Weekly, Janary 12, 1861)

 The Charleston Mercury

December 29, 1860

Our New Orleans Correspondent.

New Orleans, December 22

News of the Secession of South Carolina in New Orleans.--Tremendous Excitement and Enthusiasm. -- Hoisting of the Pelican Independent Flag of Louisiana -- Description of the Flag -- 

   The most intense excitement prevailed in our city yesterday, on the publication of the news by the morning papers of the secession of South Carolina. Our citizens were thoroughly aroused, and not since the reception of the news of our glorious victories in Mexico, have our people evinced more rejoicing and enthusiasm. It was arranged by the Southern Rights Association, that the Pelican Flag of Independent Louisiana should be unfurled to the breeze in front of their building on Camp street, at twelve o'clock, noon, precisely, and that a salute of one hundred guns, from each of the four districts of the city, should be fired at the same time in honor of South Carolina. A spontaneous meeting of our most influential citizens congregated on Camp street, which soon became an immense mass, completely blocking up the square. As the Pelican flag was raised it was greeted by the wildest, tumultuous cheers, a fine band at the same time playing the Marseillaise, while the booming of the cannon and ringing of bells added to the patriotic enthusiasm that prevailed.

Louisiana Pelican Secession Flag

    The flag represents a red star in the centre of a pure while field, and in the centre of the star is painted the coat of arms of Louisiana, a Pelican feeding its young--the motto of the State being "Union, Justice and Confidence." In front, on the gallery of the building, was placed a statue of John C. Calhoun, with a blue silk searf over the shoulder, and the Pelican cockade on the breast. Appropriate speechs were made by Gen. W.R. Miles, Hon. W.C.C. Claiborne, Mr. J.O. Nixon, of the, Crescent, and others, when after cheers for South Carolina and Louisiana, and the flags of the two. P's, the Palmetto and the Pelican, the assembly dispearsed.

   The Union croakers can hardly believe that South Carolina is out of the Union, and that no earthquake has taken place, no blood spilt, and not a shotted gun fired! They have looked upon disunion in the same light as an earthquake, and having found out that none of their bones are broken since the consumation ofthe dissolution of the Union, they are beginning to believe that it will not prove such a calamity to us after all.

South Carolin Palmetto Secession Flag