Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-07-17
GENERAL CROOKS THEORY EXPLAINED

A Sensational story comes through the
medium Of the dispatches, to the effect
that General Crook accomplished nothing
by ME raid into the Sierra Madre range,
and sas permitted 70 escape only on prom.
lac TO the hostiles TO insure sheir safety il
they should raturn 20 San Carlos Rsserva.
ton, We havs not particle OF faith in
the story. Itoones in questionable shape,
is the chat of Mexican rancheros and COS.
sips, ard ia wholly out of keeping with
the character Of General Crook, whom
the people have, during twenty. five
years Of service, found to be q courageous
and discTees officer and man OF his word.
to tho le5ser and syllable. In tlis connec.
ton, aud az tending TO discredit The rumot
referred to, it may be interesting to refer
TO the Generals more recent state.
meh's, for he has 6eea giving his views
upon the Indian question very freely and
at length, and they must command respect,
since be hss bad the greatest succeze
among the Indian tri6es, not 50 much by
fighting qualities as b. mis- managing
ability. The General hss gained repata.
tion for being an Indian fighter, a stern.
unTeienting PuFsuor of bad Indians.
This is not strictly true. He aas
done less lighting than others Of the
border army. But he has always kept
faith vita the Indians. He has demon.
strsted that az Indian can be controlled
by inspiring him with confidence in the
white man. This he himsolf freely admits
is the secret Of his own success. He was
asked i be had no feara that his Indian
scouts would turn against him. sc Not the
slightest" ne replied; "5hess had left
their families az the reservation as host.
ages, in fact, and were with us heart and
soul because. for the nisdeeds Of the fee.
ing Apaches, their brethren, they had been
held responsible by tbe people of Arizona,
though wholly Innocent. But have been
often ont with Indian ec5uts when really
had 40 hold on them except the confidence
which they had in me- From this Gen.
eral Crook would have us imply that most
Of orr Indian troubles have arisen out OF
breaches OF faith with The aborigines By
or own peoplC, aud there is scarcely any
doub. of Lis correctness il this conclusion.
We have held the Indian tribes 20 ba for.
eign powers, aud have tresled wish them
as ruch, but have not compelled our people
20 rsspsot the treafiss, and naturally the
Indian mss not distinguished between the
Government and Chs people under it in the
matter Of faith, nor would is HAYS made
any difference had he done so, because in
the rude logic OF the Indian the Govern
ment thas has power 10 treat should have
the power to compel yesgecs for the con.
tracts il makes-at lasss on toe part of its
oEn people,
General Crook was asked if he really be.
lieved tina. the savage could be con-
verified into the peaceful and self-suppors-
ing citizen, aud be unhesitstingIy respond
ed, " Yes; I know it. The Indian himself
knows it. 1t is 10 his interest to leave the
war-path snd take up the peaceful pursuits
of the white man. In nearly every instance
the Indian is forced upon the war.path,
We shall always have trouble with him
until the Government adopts settled and
fixed policy" he then told the story of
the band of Apaches he conquered ten
years ago. How did he do it? Simply by
keeping his word with them. 80 Here, :"
said he, "you Indians are bad Indians,
aud for that l have whipped you. Now
here are THE opportunities to work. and
have homes upon thia reservation. Go
TO work and build them, and be peaceful.
Do SO, and promise thss you shall be I'M
molested. Bat if you do rot behave your.
selves, I promise you 8 whipping yen viii
never cease 70 regret TO The end OF The