Arizona citizen., 1871-08-19

gerous and laborious task which all
 theorizing has but aggravated. It
 has been said, and is believed by
 many, that the tales of woe that have
 constantly gone forth, were made in
 the main for speculative purposes;
 that we desired no end to Indian hos
 tilities, but wanted the war to go on
 and more soldiers to enhance pecula-
 tion. That error is easily refuted by
 declaring this truth: We have not
 clamored so much for more troops, as
 we have for more activity On the part
 of those we have had. If we had 20,-
 GOO soldiers in Arizona, and they were
 permitted to remain at the posts, they
 would give us no relief, nor would
 they ever settle this INDIAN war; and
 we say now, with General Crook in
 command of the Department, we be-
 heve a lasting peace will be speedily
 conquered, if this distinguished and
 upright officer is permitted the free ex-
 ercise of his own good judgment ma
 tured by twenty years of practical ex-
 perience among the Indian tribes of
 the West.
 Now if we wanted this war con-
 tinued, would the entire population of
 Arizona have run wild with joy when
 the information came that the Presi-
 dent of the United States had placed
 Gen. Crook in command of the Depart
 ment? We we'll knew from the pre- vions history of the man that his coming meant an early peace by war.
 We knew that in northern California, in Oregon and Idaho, he had dealt with hostile Indians with earnest war, and in a very short period of time. conquered lasting peace that endures to this day. Had we wanted this war continued, General Crook is the last officer we should have desired sent here.
 But in the name of common sense, why should any one desire this War continued? Look up and down these broad valleys where sufficient strength and population have accumulated to afford protection to cultivators of the soil; see the abundant harvest; nearly every product that grows in the tenn perate or warmer zone, can be pro- duced here in abundance. Only three days ago l visited vineyard in Salt River valley, of but two years growth, and the vines were borne down with the most luscious grapes I ever tasted. See the millions of acres of the finest pasturage, affording an abundance of food the year round, lying idle on ac- count of the hostility of the implaca- ble Apache. Our mountains abound in precious metals, many portions of which have not been explored for the same reason. Is 1t pleasure for us to see the whole Territory covered with the graves of our neighbors and friends? Our best farming settle ment broken up? Our people in pow erty? And all this merely for the money we make ill growing grain and selling it in many localities for less price than it can be purchased ill the older States! No. 1 say give us peace and security for life and prop erty, and we will soon exhibit de- gree of prosperity hardly surpassed by any other portion of our public do- main. and that, too, without the aid of further military presence or patronage
 1 have been often asked at the East if I were in favor of the extermina- ton of the Apaches, and have inva- riably answered, no; but that I knew no way when war existed between two nations or peoples except to prose- cute it with vigor and power until one or the other conquered, and when that point is reached, believe in the most humane treatment of the vanquished consistent with the safety of all those engaged or immediately concerned. I desire to see every human being happy, and contented. I believe it is the duty of the strong to help the weak-of the intelligent to educate the ignorant. History and all practi- cal observations prove that Indians respect nothing but power; and not until they are thoroughly subdued, will they ever accept and do their houest share in preserving lasting peace. The Apaches have often pro fessed friendship and in many in stances have been fed at the expense of the Government for months at a time, and as often they have been en- ,ro cra1 5,r,por tbo eo,,o ,>or,oJ =, 4lo