The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-09-08
FRANCO.PRUSSIAN WAR.
Overwhelming Defeat Of the
French Amy, and Cap
ture Of Napoleon.
The Empire Declared at an End, and
a Republic Established.

Republic Established
The events of the past week have
been so momentous that a recapitulatlon
Of them would eli innumerable volumes,
and unless more intellisibly written and
arranged than the kilograms in the
daily papers, would leave the reader in
nearly as much doubt as to the actual
state of affairs as he was before reading
them.
For several days previous to the great
battles of Thursday and Friday, the
Prussians had been massing their forces,
by forced marches and all the means
known TO modern warfare, in the vlcln-
ity of Sedan, where Mcmahon, with one
of the strongest divisions of the army
Of France, was cncamped, with a view
of attacking him with such a force as
would utterly crush hun. In carrying
out this plan they were successful even
in the minutest details. They attacked
Mcmahon on Thurada.s, and after W
days Of TIE most terrific fighting OF
which it is possible to imagine, the en-
tire French force engaged was captured,
numbering about 10000, together
with all the equipments and army stores
belonging to the division. Without ex-
ception, this victory, in its extent and
ultimate results, is without a parallel in
modern times.
As soon as the surrender of McMa-
hons army was effected, Napoleon sent
his sword to King William, rendering
an unconditional surrender of his per-
son, stating that he had no other course
left him. This was an important part
of the victory which the Prussians had
not counted upon, not knowing where
he was until his surrender to William.
He was put under 4 guard suited to his
rank as a prisoner, and started to a Ger
man fortress, to be kept until his status
shall be permanently fixed.
The Empress Eugene has already
started on her Journey to join her hus-
band in captivity, having received as
surance from William that she would
be treated as a guest and not as a pris-
oner. At last accounts the Prince I'm
perial was thought to be in London.
While these exciting events were
transporting at the front, events of no less
interest to France were occurring at
Paris. As soon as the defeat of McMa-
hon and surrender of Napoleon were
known 1T Paris, the people were wild
with excitement. and government affairs
were but little better than the mob in
the street. Suddenly the cry of Are
publioue was raised, and echoed from
one end of the city to the other, even
those who were in favor of the imperial
government not daring to offer the least
resistance TO the tide which increased in
force and magnitude until it swept eve
rything before it like an avalanche. The
deputies were called together. and bv a
unanimous vote--105 to nothing-de,
Glazed the imperial government at an
end. \ provisional republican govern
ment was Immediately organized, and
elected Gen. Trochu president for the
time being. The excitement continued
undated, but with fewer indications OF
violence than at first. TIE people seemed
to forget the great disaster that had
befallen their army, in their own per-
sonal freedom. They declare, without
a dissenting voice, their intention to
fight Prussia as long as they have a
a man to shoulder a muskct.
As a 2russian victory has made a re-
public of France. is it too much to hope
that a French victory may yet make a
republic of Prussia In hat event,
the war will have been some advantage
to the world.