Apache Indian Nation Quotes
Some Mexicans have always resented the U. S. for “colonizing” Arizona and other territory that once belonged to Mexico. This quotation is very revealing concerning the reality on the ground. The Apache were on the land when the Mexicans moved in to “civilize” the territory. However, the Apache, by violence, drove the Mexicans out. At that point the Mexicans were happy to sell Arizona to the Americans and the Gadsden Purchase brought Arizona to the United States as a territory. The Americans however didn’t buy the land from the Apache, the owners before the Mexicans claimed it. Many Apaches continued the violence against whoever tried to settle in the area. Eventually, the Americans accomplished what the Mexicans did not—militarily subduing the Apache.
The general offered Geronimo a house and land to him and his followers if they surrendered. The Indian chief observed that such promises had been made and broken before by the whites. The Indians surrendered. They were shackled and deported to Florida.
The notorious Apache Chief Geronimo was a Federal prisoner, and the President had him transported to Washington to ride in his inaugural parade. TR was a publicist and a showman of the first order. Many people see him as the first President who used modern public relations and media techniques in the White House. Arguably, he has been the best President at this technique though Ronald Reagan was also superb.
Rio Tinto wanted to reopen a copper mine in Arizona. This would create many jobs for Apache Indians on the San Carlos Reservation. However, the proposal involved a complicated land swap whereby the Federal Government would cede some land to Rio Tinto. The land to be transferred was considered sacred ground by many Apaches who did not want it turned over to Rio Tinto or any company. The swap would offend their religion according to some. The Congresswoman tried to mediate.
Lehmann was captured by the Apache when he was 11 and brought up as an Apache brave. He went on raiding and war parties, killed and scalped other whites, and represents a good example of the physiological conditioning that young people are susceptible to if brought up in other cultures. Also it shows that values and cultural characteristics are learned and not products of birth and genes.
