The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1874-03-22
HOW TO START AN INDIAN WAR.

HOW TO START AN INDIAN WAN
From the st. Louis Republican,
While the House committe on Indian
affairs 10 preparing TO Investigate the pres.
emit system OF contracts, We suggest TO the
honorable gentlemen tho propriety Of be-
slowing q passing glance upon kindred
matter which has lately transpired in
Arizona.
The Hualapais are friendly tribe llv-
ing somewhere on the Gila river in the
territory above mentioned. Their num-
bers arc comparatively small, but en-
brace large proportion Of fighting men
and the chief, Serum, is the best rife
shot in all Arizona. Until re-
Gently they have been in close alli.
ance with the government, and on several
occasions their picked warriors have lent
valuable assistance to federal troops In at
tacks upon the hostile Apaches. The
home Of the Huslapais on the ella Is in
tho vicinity OF white settlements, and they
have always been excellent noighbors.
For some reason, as yet unexplained, these
Indians wero notified by the government
agent in the latter part Of January that
thew must move at once to another reser-
walton, located north Of the Colorado river
their lands being wanted for other pur-
poser. A few weeks delay was granted,
and during the interval Serum called a
grand council Of the tribe and laid the case
before them The result Of the delihera-
tions was that on the night of the first Of
February the Hualapais, men, women and
children, abandoned their old dwelling
place In body; and after sending mes
sage of defiance 10 the great father At
Washington through his agent, rotroated
not to Colorado, but to K range of
mountains in the northern part Of Arizona,
where they propose to mako stand in
Modoc fashion. About the same time
thirty.thrcc Of the tribe, who were enlisted
10 the army rs scouts, deserted with arms,
accoutrements and ammu nition, and Joined
their comrades on the march.
The Arizona Minor, q journal notori-
| ously prejudiced against Indians in gen.
/ eral, says in substance "that the Hualapais
| were driven into their present desperate
attitude by acts and threats Of .appointees
Of the Indian ring, because they are
wanted to swell the lists of the Colorado
| Indian reservation In order that they may
put money in somebody's pocket and that
they will die rather than 90 where, IL not
starved TO death, the climate would soon
shrivel them into mummies and disease
finish the work" A correspondent of the
San Francisco Chronicle, who writes from
Camp Beale Spring, comedies with the
view taken by the Miner and st tes,
moreover, "that the Hualapais have
lived in peace with the whites for
three years; that they have done
nothing TO warrant the removal,
and that they will die to the last man
rather than submit to what they re-
gard as a gross breach of faith and an
/ To- Ia ants hat
adds to the serious character of this dis-
graceful affair, is the fact that these In
dams we're for long time bitter enemies
of the government and resisted ell at.
tempts to subdue them by force Of arms
They wers finally brought into peaceful
relations by . compromise-and that com.
promise the agents of the government
have now deliberately violated.
Here, then, We have the beginning Of 9
war which may be far more costly in blood
and money than the memorable struggle
with the Modocs-A war, too, the mora
responsibility Of which rests upon the
United States, and not upon the Indians
With halfa continent at its disposal, could
not the government afford room on the
fhiplacGvie eneuhsr DIE 4. Wa larsais 0r,ce
To drive them from their homes under
such circumstances 10 not merely crime,
but q stupendous blunder, incapable alike
Of defence or apology. The little slice
Of ground acquired by this transaction
will be paid for in the lives Of many brave
men; We only hope that some Of the men,
bers Of the Indian ring may be the first
victims. Meanwhile, perhaps tits not too
late to avert the worst consequences BY
restoring the Huslapais to their rightful
possessions. Will congress perform this
act of justice? If not, then let public
opinion place the burden Of blame and
| shame where il belongs.