The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-08-15
pailp ARGUS.
OFFICIAL CITY g. COUNTY PAPER
THE FRANCO-PRUssIAN WAR.

issue we gave d orlef Synopsis OF the posi-
ton of the contendng armies, we have
received very important news from the seat
of war. Instead of the French giving battle
at Nancy as was hourly expected, they
destroyed its costly bridge, and gave up the
stronghold without struggle. The Prus-
slams now occupy the town and hold the
KEYS to the Vosges.
1t is supposed that the corps which have
made s,rasbourg, Metz, and Nancy their
objective points, will now push on to Paris.
It is reported, though without confirmation,
that the two former places have already
capitulated. The French feet is active on
the Baltic and is doing serious damage to
the enemies ports. This news contradicts
the statement that the Baltic expedition was
abandoned. A Copenhagen dispatch says
that the fleet moved south on Wednesday !;
we may soon expect to aesr of the bonn
bardmens of kiel and Strssund.
Count Palkao is continually sending men
and material to the front. The Corps Leg
islatf is endeavoring to pass decree arm
ing the French people en- naasse. Should
they succeed the whole nation will be
brought within the range of King Willam's s
proclamation, which gives assurance that he
wars not against citizens but soldiers.
Many details of the late battles have been
received but SO contradictory as not to be
relied upon. The French claim that the
Prussian loss has been beyond computation,
while the latter AFFIRM that they destroyed
nearly half Of McMahon's corps with com
paratively little loss. At the battle of
Froschweiler Marshal Mac Mshon was twen-
ty i've hours in his saddle, fifteen of which
hs was without food, when, after having his
horse killed under him, he fell fsinting
during the retreat. With small victory to
encourage the valiant army which has been
so s!gnally defeated, and with the military
skill of the French officers combined with
their indomi.able perseverance they might
yet hurl their psean upon the distracted ears
Of the vanquished Prussiaas, upon field
made immortal by a display OF heroism
engendered by series of disasters in the
incipient stage of struggle for what they
consider their sacred Liberties.
\ ot less in many other places than in
London Is there strong conviction that
the rule of the Bonaparte dynasty is nearly
Napoleon s fate is to be decided in the next
battle. This prediction may prove true, yet
1t is possible that the current of events may
show that the Times prophecy was not given
under the seal of infallibility.
Notwithstanding the American people are
and ought to be interested ia the progress
of European affairs, it is a act no less sa
vored of shame and disgrace, than con-
semptible wheedling for the Republican
party to turn foreign affairs into an issue in
politics with a view of decelving and
ttatsering the Germans into voting for their
candidates. Not only is this attempt SO
shallow that every German democrat sees
its true bearing, but they are highly indig'
nant that party should SO far presume
their ignorance and stupidity, as to expect
10 gain their influence by q cunning play
upon the attachment which they have for
their mother country, by virtue of which
possession they are amply qualified to fulfill
sne duties of honored American citizens,
and true members Of the Democracy.
The republican journals will be no little
chaVrined whenPresident Grants proclama-
tion is circulated declaring the position of this
government, and warning the people against
the violation of the neutrality laws. Do no.
the American Germans realize that at pres
ent there are millions of German treasure
floating to destruction upon our waters?
And do they fail to realize the shallowness
of republican sympathy in their behalf when
they ponder the fact that a republican con
gress refused to prolong its session at the
Presidents request that law might be
passed whereby the vast amount of German
shipping might be transferred to American
citizens? These are bold facts staring the
people in the face, and crying aloud that
the truth may be known and that justice
may be done. We do not call upon our
German democrats to beware of the intrigues
of republican demagogues, because that
would SAVIOR to much of the idea that we
consider them incompetent to riddle and
analyze the balderdash ofpoiitical tricksters,
and Judge for themselves of the present issue
with that independence which alone char,
acterizes every German adherent to the
Democracy but We call upon them to repel
republican caolery with vebemence, stand
firm by the principles which we advocate,
and welcome, az the need of fidelity, the
ultimate triumph of our cause.
Since writing the above we have received
dispatches stating that great battle has
been fought before Metz, in which the
Prussians were again victorious. There
are no details given.