New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-23
GENERAL CROOK.S OPDERS

There is no man living, probably, from
whom more stern, pitess treatment is
to be expected for the Indian on the
war-path, than from General Crook, yet
it is a significant fact that there is no man
that the Indians have trusted more, although
he has fought and beaten them many times
Both white and red men had reason to look to
their ways when he was sent to Arizona to
settle matters with the Apaches. We call
attention to the remedies which the keen
sighted soldier proposes to administer to both
parties, if need be at the swords point. First,
whiskey is to be wholly banished from the res
eryahon secondly every Indian is to be kept
within its bounds, and set to work for his own
living and thirdly, every Indian going on the
warpath will be mercilessly punished. So
much for the red men but the General twins
around and lays down laws equally strict for
his own officers and privates He asserts that
he finds among the Indians in Arizona a deep
seated distrust of the whites, especially the
soldery, and even intimates that the guilty
persons in the late disturbance were not the
red men. Under his command justice, be de-
clares, is now to be done to Indian as well as
to white man. Grievances brought before
officers shall be promptly Iedressed, troops
shall not be made the instruments of Oppres-
sion, and each officer will be held strictly
accountable that his actions toward Indians who
desire to enter upon career of peace shall
be both legal and just.
These orders are evidently issued in good faith,
AID their justice to the Indian, coming from
the most noted and successful Indian fighter in
the Army, shows how much justice is needed.
That system is false, as THE TRIBUNE showed
the other day, and utterly opposed to our re-
publican government. which Iele2ates the
absolute control Of the Indians with their
rights and wrongs to the hands of any in
dividuals, whether civil or military officials,
instead of to the courts. But as long as that
system is in use, it is better that tribe like
the Apaches shOnd be under the management
of a man like General Crook, holding promi-
nent position, and, therefore, constantly sub
Jet to public scrutiny and opinion, than to
an obscure agent who regards them only as
factors in a general scheme for making money
BY the way, it was General Crook whom the
Ogallalla Sioux, under Red Cloud, asked the
other day to have sent to investigate the
alleged abuses of them by the agent McGilcud-
dy. What is the present condition of affairs at
oininOus. General Crook was not sent, nor any
body else, in answer to the appeal The
whole affair was promptly smothcred up by
the agent Unpleasant reports, however have
since come to the East that the agent ais I'M
fortunately man of strong prejudces," ana
having Il personal dislike to the great chief,
deprived him OF his ratiOns for months, and
when he was forced to beg from the other
members of the tribe, arrested those who fed
him. What truth is III this The public takes
more interest in Indian affairs than it did ten
years ago. 1t knows what this country owes
to Red Cloud, and how it swinded
him. He may never be paid what is legally due
to him, but ut least the fine old man should not
be gwen over as helpless pauper to the petty
torture and starvation of an agent. What has
DR.. McGilicuddy to say in the matter 1t
is to his interest to explain and the sooner the
Department brings the whole business to light,
the better.