NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
January/February 1862
The secession crisis and war split not only the people of City of St. Louis and of the State of Missouri, but also the commercial and business interests in the area. While many old-line merchants prospered through trade south down the Mississippi River, more recently arrived merchants and manufacturers depended on trade with the East or with western lands up the Missouri River. In January 1862, this split manifested itself in the division of the Chamber of Commerce in St. Louis.
From The Missouri Democrat, Thursday, January 9, 1862.
EXCITEMENT ON ’CHANGE.
DISRUPTION OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The Secessionists Override the Union Men.
The Union Men Withdraw and Organize a New Board of Trade.
The Hall of the Chamber of Commerce was on yesterday afternoon the scene of much excitement. The occasion was the annual election of officers for the Chamber to serve during the present year….
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George Washington was a patriotic figure to both North and South during the Civil War. St. Louis used the anniversary of his birth in 1862 to stage a huge patriotic parade through the streets of the city.
From The Missouri Democrat, February 23, 1862.
WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY IN SAINT LOUIS.
THE GRANDEST CELEBRATION EVER KNOWN IN THE CITY.
A PROCESSION ELEVEN MILES LONG.
THE MOUND CITY COVERED WITH FLAGS.
All Professions, Trades, and Avocations Represented.
The American celebration of 22 February, 1862, will be chronicled as a National demonstration of its kind unparalleled in history. The love of country and the pride of nationality that lie deep in the American heart, have on that day found an expression whose sublimity will challenge the admission of the world.
If we judge of the expression in other Union cities by its warmth, here, we are warranted in declaring that the immortality of our nation is guarantied by the deathless patriotism and love of freedom and free government which must ever, at last, triumph over all illusions, sophistries and conspiracies, however formidable that seek the destruction of our country….
