NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
March and April 1861
From The Missouri Democrat, Tuesday, Tuesday, April 16, 1861.
Five Thousand Stand of Arms.
There has been much talk and some little alarm throughout the city for some days in reference to an alleged distribution of five thousand stand of government muskets among the Germans of the lower Wards. To correct the public misapprehension, we take it upon ourselves to state that no such wholesale distribution has yet taken place. An order, we believe, has been issued by the Government to the commanding officer at the Arsenal to the effect tht whenever necessary, in his judgment, for the protection of the property and citizens of the United States government, five thousand or more stand of arms with ammunition may be placed in the hands of the loyal people of the city of St. Louis. The exclusive arming of the Germans is a scarecrow invented by the cowardly enemies of our country. All good and loyal citizens, we are sure, will recognize gratefully the propriety of this extension of aid and comfort against secessionists by the general government.
