Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1871-02-25
Not to be Abandoned.


There is much silly talk about
Arizona being abandoned, and even a
prominent New York journal had an
absurd correspondence from Washing
ton to that effect. We do not doubt
but there are set of narrow minded,
selfish and possibly well meaning peo
pie who would be pleased to have the
United States government disgrace it
self by organizing a Territory and
maintaining government therein for
many years, and then abandon it and
thereby confess that comparatively
few cruel, ignorant savages could not
be conquered or that they had a supe-
rior right to it; but we are certain no
such trifiing and disgraceful intention
prevails or ever did prevail in high
official quarters. The idea is simply
preposterous. The United States don't
take the back track on anything. Her
people have always been advancing on
new territory, having governments Or
ganized therein, and in no instance
has Government failed to extend pro-
lection sometimes less and sometimes
more than absolutely required. Near
ly all new Territories have passed
through an Arizona ordeal. We have
no excuses-nor should any one have
for any failure to give protection to
American citizens here or elsewhere,
but merely wish to state facts. We
have the satisfaction of knowing that
our individual efforts outside the col
umns of The CITIzEN-have aroused
discussion in many influential jour-
mails both east and west, on Arizona's
merits and neglects.
As showing how false are the absurd
stories emanating from Washington
correspondents about the abandonment
of Arizona, we may mention that M.
r. Platt, Esq. writes from that city
under date of Jan. 81, to friend in
Tucson, aud in abiding to these ru-
mors, says he heard President Grant
tell Hon. R. G. Mccormick that there
was not the least intention of abandon
ing Arizona.
1t is the duty of every one to assist
in correcting all false impressions,
whether it be with reference to the
merits of the Territory, or the DISPOSE
ton and conduct of the savages. We
know that scores of the best informed
men, and men of integrity, too, have
but recently testified under oath that
the Indians are more active in their
hostility than at any time for years;
that it is extremely dangerous for
small parties to travel the highways
and that there is now no evidence of a
more peaceful disposition o.: the part
of the Arizona Indians, than there was
two, four, six, or eight years ago-in
effect that no advance has been made
towards suppressing Indian hostilities
in Arizona. Testimony of this char
acter is very voluminous and unim-
peachable, and will be increased, pub
lished, and scattered broadcast over
the nation. The books will be for
warded to all leading newspapers,
makers of law and public sentiment,
public libraries, &c. Arizona will yet
be redeemed and prosperous. There
was never more encouragement in this
direction than now. Her citizens have
never before taken such effective meas
ures to secure that end as they have
lately done, and are now pressing.
The news from France is of con-
Trajectory character, but indicates that
the war is closed, and the experiment
of another Republic begun, with Theirs
"A President The ,acifio indica tion