Arizona weekly citizen., 1890-01-18
WEEKLY CITIZEN.
SATURDAY JANUARY Is 1890
CROOKS PETS.

It seems odd that a man like Gen Crook-one who has had so much un- successful experience in Indian warfare should give utterance to such argu- ment in their favor as he has done of late. Silly as his ideas of Indian cul- ture appear, yet they are remarkable for the radical transformation his ''opin- ion" has undergone since the days he meandered this territory in search of the brutes he would now see liberated. To set them free is plainly his object, for in his report he calls it hardship to see them under police surveillance" :" The poor Indians he refers to are the same devils who have ruthlessly slaughtered men, women and children throughout the territory in untold numbers; who have rendered desolate many homes, destroyed property with impunity, and throughout their hellish course erected a monument of despair. Were these deeds committed by white men they would have paid the penalty long ago. But being savages, their crimes were viewed in matter-of- course light, and the lightest punishment possi- bic to impose upon them was inflicted. Instead of having their necks broken, or accorded penal servitude, they were simply removed to another land, to live at leasure for the balance of their lives at the expense of Uncle Sam. And now comes General Crook, as an emissary of charity and goodness, shouting forth to the world the objections of Geronimo to the inadequate school facilities of Flori- da, and the distasteful proximity of his guardians. In other words, Geronimo wants municipality of his own, that his people may live a life of incidence and leisure at the expense of our gov ernment. If these criminals are to be liberated, why were they captured? It cost millions of dollars to put these prisoners where they now are, and Gen. Crook himself unnecessarily under took what General Miles accomplished. Does he wish to see the work undone? There Is no consistency in his actions. much less common sense, unless he wishes a second opportunity to dis play" himself in an Apache campaign: for no one knows better than Gen. Crook that the moment these Indians gain their freedom, a tiswin drunk and its accompaniment will be the outcome. It is well enough for Crook and others, who have nothing to lose and no fear of personal injury; to place confidence ln promises of the future good behavior of these Indians. All these good people of the east have not as much to lose as the poorest pTospector in our hills, should Geronimo again return. What a change of opinion there would be if these believers in Indian honor and good faith had to leave their wives and little children in exposed places in this terri tory, some little mountain home, and get into some town or supply depot, and hear that the Indians had left their reservation. The right parties to con- eUlt oIa the future disposition Uf Apaches are those who have suffered in the past. and those who are liable to suffer in the future. If Gen. Crook makes a mistake he loses nothing. No treaty or under standing can avail in dealing with nat ural criminals, and the time is past for testing mere theories and ideas of men who have nothing at stake. For long years Arizona suffered from its "Indian policy" but now that the only curse we ever possessed has been removed. and the bright light of prosperity beams OCT our fair land, farms where there was desert. and happy homes where there was strife, We have no desire to again form the acquaintance of Geronimo and his motley crew. There is plenty of room for him in the eastern and southern portion of the American continent. Let those fanatics who have so long sympa- N'10NN "-e1A A-o' eiiS pOOI 1HuIdn, HOW take these renegades unto their bosom. and do something" for them. It was not to be expected that mineral and agricultural country like Arizona could furnish them with polished education; according to Geronimo's own statement the educational facilities of Florida are not what they might be. We can see but one city in the eastern horizon qualified for the task-cultured Boston.