The weekly Arizona miner., 1869-10-16
The Indian Question.

murder of two of our race by the accursed Ishmaelites, and for loss of property sustained by poor white toilcrs. We despair of seeing an early stop put to the bloody career of the savsges, and arc disgusted with government that allows these things to happen, from day to day, and from year to year. In Heavens name, fellow-citizens of America, how long do you propose to stand sloof and sec this fair Territory preyed upon by race of de- mons, whom 'twere base ilattcry to call men ? Why not, at once, finish the job of subduing them, and give us who suffer, toll and fight, to hold our position against them, chance to do something towards developing the re- sources of the Tcrritory7 Why not take firm hold of the Indian knot and sever it for eyer It Is question of national importance, and the people of the whole country should see that it is quickly settled. The agents of the people may say that they are doing their best to settle it, but we tell the people that they arc not. We have barely enough troops in this Territory to do garrison duty, guard the mails, escort and make an occasional scout, still the magnates of the capital pro fess to think there are enough to do all we have enumerated and whip the Indians be- sides. Preposterous hallucination, if, indeed, they so think. The Indians are numerous, active and relentless in their warfare upon US, devoting their whole tipc and attention to it, while we merely make spasmodc, fee Ifa ts &att .L. fault of the military or citizens of the Terri tory. Both do the best they can under the circumstances. Both are looking forward to the day when their hands will be strength ened, and they will be strong enough to wipe out the red villains that curse this Territory
 We call upon the people of our country to give us 8 little of that sympathy and aid which they are so lavishly bestowing upon mongrel foreigners in Cuba. Americans, your advance in Arizona needs aid to combat a more savage foe than the Spaniards, will you grant it now, when the head of the column, after being fearfully battered, is wavering in its position, wistfully looking and praying for aid, sympathy, weapons, with which to make vigorous, determined, persistent assault upon the savage foe. We are cut off from the remainder of our countrymen, surrounded by strong tribes of Indians. Some of these tribes or portion of their members profess friendship for the white race,-yet, we know how far this friendship goes, and have come to the conclusion that it would be much bet
 ter for ns were there no "friendly" Indians in the Territory. Then, we would know ex- actly what to do and what to expect Now, we know that the "Apache"-( convenient name under which to murder and steaD- receives aid and countenance from the afriend- lies" This Indian question must be probed to the bottom. We must know, for certain. who are our friends and who are our enemies
 If friendly chiefs cannot control their "young men" they can turn them over to the mili- tary, or, at least, drive them from among them and not allow them to return. We all know the value of Indian professions, and the l government and it's agents should know some thing about them now. Let rigid inquiry be made into the conduct of the River Indians
 and, if found guilty of harboring murderefs
 let them be punished. The line of demarka- ton between warlikc and friendly Indians ought speedily to be drawn, and each one forced to keep his own side of the line
 Then, and not until then, will we have our enemy in our front Now he is on every side of us, shooting bullets, as well as all kinds of arrows. A team cannot go out of sight of mill, for load of wood or quartz, without an expensive escort, a miner cannot sink hole on lode without he is encountered with gun and six-shooter, farmer cannot blow in his field without packing the same tools, and man or small party of men cannot travel trail or road without being well armed. Of course, it is difficult matter to live and make headway against such draw backs and dangers, and our progress has been exceedingly slow. Now, this is good coun- try, rich country, and well worth the cost of paciication and redemption. It will, in time, be pacifed, but where is the use of delaying the accomplishment of that desired end to an indefinite period of time, when by sending two or three regiments of regular cavalry here, the thing can be done in a year or two, or, if the cavalry cannot be sent, then by furnishing citizens with arms, ammuni- tion, clothing and provisions. For Gods sake, and the sake of humanity, let something be done for us speedily. We have suffered long enough, and cannot stand it much lon ger. We have been relating horrors until sick of the business, but they still crowd upon us,