The Evening Argus

A Sleeping Sentinel.-Referring to the levee improvement and removal of the ferry landing, the Union of this morning contains the following:

against the swindle, so completely is it under subjection to the ruling power.

One might suppose, on reading this, that the valorous Union was very early in the fight and had already covered itself with the blood and glory of the contest. Now what are the facts in connection with this business and the Union's course? The action complained of by the Union was taken on Monday the 2d day of August, without any previous intimation that it would be taken. That paper published the following Tuesday a distinct announcement, independent of the council proceedings, that the ferry landing was to be changed, &c., but did not "raise a single voice against the swindle," nor did it utter a syllable of disapproval till yesterday morning. And why did it say anything then? Will it dare tell? We will: Owners of property on Washington street called at our office on Saturday last, and desired us to say something in condemnation of the council's action, and dropped ominous hints that they being Republicans would vote for a Democrat for alderman if he were opposed to the change, etc. Knowing nothing whatever of the facts of the case or the merits of the controversy, we told them to write a communication on the subject and we would publish it. The next we heard of it, the Union on yesterday morning, a week after the "swindle," belched forth a broadside of smoke and ashes against the council, and in favor of economy in public expenditures! The parties who were here, of course in the interval called on the Union, and gave the assurance that the occasion afforded a splendid opportunity to make a split in the Democratic party in this ward, and make political capital in the city election. The Union man cast about to see what the chances of losing patronage would be, considered that he was getting nothing from the city government any way, that there was a chance for something to be gained and no risk of losing anything, and therefore the virtuous soul that exudes through the Union, became red hot with indignation and raised its "voice" and howled on Monday. One whole week did this sentinel sleep on his beat and allow the people to be "basely filched of their hard earnings," without crying out or firing the alarm and then only on being punched up by interested parties and assured that something could be made by affecting a virtuous indignation on account of the act, and denouncing Democratic Aldermen. And yet this sheet, trembling in the fear of those who furnish it business, blowing cold and blowing hot as will best promote its own interests, has the effrontery to lecture the Argus on independence and opposing swindles!