The Union Archive

The Union was first published in Georgetown, Delaware, on September 11, 1863. Edited by Larry W. Wallazz, the newspaper supported the presidency of Abraham Lincoln and the preservation of the Union. In the first issue, the Union stated its position: "Our cause is the noblest, most precious, and honorable ever known to mankind - the preservation of the Union, the protection of the Constitution, the salvation of the country, the maintenance of the honor of our flag, and the enforcement of the laws." The editor argued that support for the Union in Delaware was growing and encouraged readers to continue to fight against pro-Confederate sentiments.

Because Delaware was a border slave state, emancipation was a consistent issue in state politics. With the introduction on February 8, 1864 of the 13^th Amendment abolishing slavery, the discussion gained intensity. The Amendment went to the states for approval, but Delaware refused to ratify it. The Union argued that the debate over slavery was making Delaware appear "ridiculous in the eyes of the whole country and even of the whole world by silly persistence in upholding an institution so clearly numbered amongst the things that were." In fact, Delaware did not ratify the 13^th Amendment until February 12, 1901.

Largely focused on political and war news, the Union reported on events such as President Lincoln's suspension of the writ of habeas corpus which, the editor argued, was an attempt to prevent treasonous acts and bring their perpetrators to justice. The September 18, 1863 issue also reported on the siege of Charleston, while the headline for April 7, 1865 praised the Union's capture of Richmond. In a story on the assassination of Lincoln, the editor of the Union called it "The foulest deed that ever sullies the name of humanity."

In addition to political and war news, the Union included poetry, short fiction, and local interest stories; the paper sought to appeal to farmers, families, women, children, and religious individuals. In addition, it reprinted stories published in other papers related to the war or otherwise likely to interest its readers.

The Union ceased publication sometime in late 1865 or early 1866.