Arizona miner., 1867-07-13
CAUTIOUSLY PRUDENT"

Die MISUNDERSTANDING OF the Indian charac-
ter, and a cool indifference 10 the apprehen-
sions of the people. His recent correspond
cnce with Gov Hunt, Of Colorado, is still
more remarkable. Among other things he
tells the Governor that he don't believe the
people Of Colorado will have any trouble
with the Indians if they will be ariuouSty
prudent.
Again he says, 1--WE can have an Indian
war or not as we choose"
We make no wonder that the Colorado
papers are enraged over this language, and
talk as does the Nesss in this extract from a
recent number
"Whether the whites choose an Indian
war or not, one thing is certain, the Indians
have chosen to have a war, and every day
brings conclusive evidence Of the fact. The
words Of General Sherman are most cOnclu-
siye evidence that with al his military fame,
he has not the remotest idea Of the mode Of
Indian fighting. However skilfully be might
have handled johnson, or Hood, if he is not
more acute than he has been since his trip on
tie plains, he will sooner or later wake up 10
ste fact that these Indian chiefs with their
teyiBg bands OF thieves and murderers have
stripped him Of his military laurels. To
Gghting, he will appear as a ridiculous blum
ierer, whose evertowering concet led him 10
= fate most fully deserved"
The conclusion is inevitable, that however
greatly Sherman may have distinguished
himselfin fighting the South however brill
liant his I" march to the sea-" however emf
nent his services throughout the recent war,
ne is evidently out of place as an Indian
fighter. As our Tucson cotemporary would
say, he is square man in three cornered
hole, or a three corneVed man in square
hole. He and his present position, as chief
in command upon the plains, are not at all
fitted TO each other.
Ii is but fresh illustration Of the wisdom
of the adage, " Every man to his profession"
Because an officer has distinguished himself
in fighting white men, in handling large ar
mics, or in making great marches through
settled States, it is no sign that he has the
least capacity for hunting Indians over plains
o. through mountains. Until the War De-
Fsrtment is brought to realize this truth,
nad to understand that Indian fighting is a
frpsesion TO acquire success in, which long
Experience and careful study are needed, we
14nrot expect general progress in the great
Nsak Of subjngating the aborigines We
azlil admit that there are occasional excep-
tons. We have a striking one in Gen. Gregg,
who, coming here fresh from the Army Of the
Potomac, and never before in an Indian coun-
try, has stirred up our red brethren in a man
ner quite new to them and highly gratifying
TO our people. But as a rule a man like Kit
Carson, bred among the savages, familiar
with their habits and character, and expert
ence in their warfare, is worth a dozen Gen
erals, and in the impending Indian war upon
the plains, the people Of Denver and Of all
the frontier settlements would feel entirely
ssss n his hands, where they have no conf
dence whatever in the management Of Gen
eral Sherman. So, too, for Soldiers to operate
against Indians, pioneers used to life on the
border and who have realized the treachery
Of the -avages, are incompaFably superior TO
any Others; albeit the regulars, as here, make
many good fights, and are deserving Of much
credit.
In view Of the energy with which the
people Of Colorado have protected themselves;
Of the experience they have had with the
Indians, and Of the imminent danger in
which they are now placed, the words Of
General Sherman are, to say the least gratui-
tous and discouraging. No people have been
more arduously prudent" and yet no peo-
pie, unless it be those Of Arizona, have suf-
fered more from Indian depredations and
none have been more abused for defending
themselves. The Sand Greek affair, improp-
eTly called a massacre, for which Col. Chiy.
ington has been so widely and shamefuly
abused, was nothing more than step ardu-
ousiy prudent " at the time, and yet we ven
ture 70 say, that il has been warmly con
demned by Gen. Sherman The simple fact
is that both Congress and the War Depart
ment utterly fail 10 comprehend the Indian
character. They will not see things as they
are, and the consequence is that nearly all
the Territories are suffering greatly from In
dian outrages. The folly Of the system Of
gifts and the humanitarian policy was never
more apparent. As often as a hungry, i'm
provident, or presumptuous tribe Of Indians
takes fancy 10 an increased annuity or
more frequent largcsses from the Government,
they organize "strike," and the Territories
must bleed. They have only 10 whet their
sealping knives, brandish their tomahawks,
plumber few settlements, and murder a
dozen OF so Of the settlers, as a signal for the
Indian Bureau at Washington 10 send out
agents with eargoes Of grain, beads, paint,
blankets, clothing, and sugar TO put the saw
age on better behavior. Make-belleye expe-
ditions have at times been sent out I. for the |
protection Of the frontier" but the only re.
ports heard from them may be summed up
IN two words. Nobody hurt" Very fine