Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-11-15

1t is not at all certain as yet that Mr.. Fred w.
Loring the brilliant young Boston journalist,
was killed by the Apaehes. He may possibly,
though We regret 10 say there is little hope of it,
be alive yet, and the name so closely resembling
his, telegraphed as that OF the murdered man.
may belong toaditfc'cnt person. Its possible and
also not at all unlikely, that the attack upon the
stage and the murder Of its passengers was the
work not Of Apachcs, but of some Of those DIES.
perate rutfians who inlesi the borders-Ishmael-
ties, who make white men and Indians indiffer-
entity the victims Of their rapacity, and find the
latter convenient scapegoats for their crimes.
But as this massacre is attributed to the Apaches
in the only reports yet received, and is quite in
the line OF their usual conduct, il is only reason,
able 10 let the burden OF the charge rest upon
them until further intelligence is received We
expect 10 see journalists in New England,
among whom Mr.. Lorugwss pretty well known
by his work, if not personally, appreciate more
nearly as it deserves the native lerocity of the
Apache character. Mr.. Vincent Coyer's senti-
mental lsa.aEigslhgs about these savages are sim
ply absurd He is probably sincere he seems
to be an estmable man, but so obstinately CON
frmed in his preconceiyed humanitarian thee
res that he cannot see the facts which are plain
to everybody else. Perhaps his ideas of Indians
were formed by reading Coopers novels, and
even the evidence of his own senses fails TO mod
ify them.
The people of Arizona do not think of him so
charitlbly. They protest against the accept
ance of his rcricsentati us, and some of them
intimate thar be is governed by dishonest mo-
tiyes. His "moasses and cracker" policy, as
one of the old army officers called it, is evident
ly not the thing or that region or that tribe. Ii
has been proved by several deplorable instances
that the plan Of allowing tie Indians 10 come
indseriminately TO the military posts to be shell
tered and fed, gives opportunity, which they
are too ready TO improve, for the fighting men
TO 20 on mardudng expeditions unencumbeyed
by the care OF their wives and children, who are
left behind in safety under the protection of the
government whose citizens they are murder
ing. Some better plan than this must be devised
and wehave no doubt that General Crook, if the
responsibility i left with him, will be able
TO meet the diti ,ulties in the case. He is not
as has sometimts been represented, only an
energetic and merciless soldier who can kill
more Indians, with the same force. in the
same time and with smaller loss to his own
troops than most other commanders. but. he
sides being active and sklful in this kind of
warfare, he is said by those who know him
10 be humane as well as just, much prefcrring
10 protect the lives and property of both set
tiers and Indians by bis vigilance and SYSTEM
attic adbrrnue. ia an understood nIau oF oontr,t
rather than pursue a policy Of determination.
1t is a great pity that these Indians are what
we ind them, crafty, treacherous and cruel but
our regret or our belief that they have acquired
these unanliable traits by contact with vicious
and aggressive white rufiians, does not change
the fact, or make 1t safe 10 deal with them as il
they were the sloical paladins of Mr. COoper's
romanees. Genuine intelligent philanthropy
is never out Of place in dealing with men of any
race OF character. Sound policy as well as mo-
raliiy dictates such line Of conduct. and il is
perhaps not a despicable argument that feeding
the Indians is cheaper tIan fighting them, when
either course seems likely to accomplish the OBJ
jeet desired. But the sentimental weakness
that can see no wrongs but those which the In.
dian has suffered, and is sure that he will Law
aside all his sayagery and become an indus
trious and exemplary citizen if the frontersmen
viii only let him alone, ignores all the teachings
of experience, aud is not uniustly regarded by
the settlers as contemplate. The settlers, too
are Gxcd element in the problem. W,
might wish them TO be other THAI
they are in their habits aud prcjudiees. /
may be possible 70 compel them 70 respect Ger
tain rights Of the Indian, bat il is useless to ex
peei uien, for long time 10 come, to regarc
HIN Wiz any other sentiments than contemp
and amnesty. Tive government by its agent
must stand het@ ~ the Two races mutually dis
trnstuiand hostile; II must secp them apart M
far az possible and by d system, not unjust t
either Ia principle, and impardaly administer
ed, compel each 70 keep within ise own limit
nd respecf ihe rights Of The other, yineeu