Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1890-03-01
THEExILED CHrRICAHUAs.


The press throughout the country Is
arog over the mimic battle, fought with
metal type and printers ink, In lieu OF
swords and muskets, by Generals Crook
and Miles. The former in his desire to
bring about the transfer of Geronimo
and other Cairicahuas from Alabama to
Indian Territory, endeavors to belIttle
Miles. in the feeble reply TO the invinci-
BILE arguments of the San Francisco
Chror ic showing why these Indians
should not be removed. We thought
better of Crook than this, and regret
that he should see fit to indulge in such
unsoldier like action. Yet, it IS his own
affair and. if he thinks best to follow
the course as commenced, it is his priv
ilege to do soho certainly is not hob
bled.
At tie same time, the proposed remov-
al of these savages is none the less an
outrage. Because Geronimo conducts a
Sunday school class it does necessarily
follow that he should;be turned loose up
on the settlers who are transforming the
desert into an oasis. Those who met
the murderous brute face to face VIII
find difficulty in reconciling religious
pretensions with his customary prac-
tices. Teaching children and scalping
adults, expounding gospel and stealing
horses, managing a Sunday school class
and torturing helpless women, do not
somehow, seem to agree. 1t Is another
example OF the wolf masqueradlng IN a
lambs pelt, for this scoundrel can no
more change his methods than leopard
his spots. Revenge is sweet, and partic-
nlarly so to Geronimo who will have his
present exile to avenge. When set free
he will maraud, plunder, murder and
commit numerous other deviltries that,
not SO long ago sent thrill of horror
through the entire country.
He is an Ishamaelite; his hand is
clenched against the world; he strikes
whenever possible, provided it can be
done with some assurance of safety to
himself; he is no respecter of persons, the
old, the young, the women and the
babe, however weak, and however inno-
cent are numbered among his victims,
as the blood-staine3 pages OF Arizona's
history show. Removed to Western In
dian Territory Will avail Arizona but
little. The distance across New Mexico
is no barrier to one of his nomadic habits,
and once in that Territory he is amid
the former well remembered haunts
with the way clear for another season of
rapine, arson and blOodshed.
We believe in the Government educat-
ing and otherwise caring for such tribes
as may indicate a desire to adopt the
ways of civilization. The Chiricahuas
and several sub-tribes among the
Apaches, however. never have and never
will assimilate with the Caucasians.
Their very instinct. transmitted through
many generations. are against the
whites and against anything pertaining
to them. In word, they are irrepres-
sible, irredeemable and unprogressive,
and the sooner they submit to the in
evitable law CT the weaker race making
way for the stronger, the better will it
be for all concerned. We are in favor of
the band remaining in Alabama where
they no longer menace life and property
We are in favor OF General Crook
making an effort to regain the common
sense which, apparently, has departed
from him. We are also in favor Of the
General attending to his own business
Yuma Times.