THE HESPERIAN
expression from him. Ho did not wish to resign his position
until Iub regiment could bo mustered out. Ho saw the strained
relations between the Americans and natives and foresaw what
ho believed to bo unnecessary hostilities. And so when our
second war began ho took up his duties with different feelings
than when he had first entered for Humanity's sake. Ho was
disappointed, disgusted. Yet from sheor sonso of duty ho lod
on tho brave charge, which cost him his life, with the senti
ment of Gommodoro Decatur: "My country may Bhe over bo
right; but right or wrong, my country.1'
In organizing tho regimental band, Jonas Lion was success
ful in raising S00 for tho equipment, and ho did it practically
all by his own personal energy. A fow weeks ago, whenever
resource was being taxed, he took tho instruments away from
the band, placed guns in 'the hands of the members, began
drilling them for active fighting, and led them in several
skirmishes. Ho was recently promoted by the Governor from
First Lieutenant to Captain of Co. I of tho regiments but had
not yet received his commission when killed.
The night before the regiment loft for San Francisco, a re
ception and banquet was given in honor of the officers. He
spoke to tho toast, "Those Who Go, and Those Who Stay
at Home." We give a few extracts, as these were his last
public words in his native land: "My theme tonight
is a double one 'Those who go and those who stay at home.'
Of those who are to go, 1 have but one word to say. If any
praise is duo to them let that praise bo spoken by others, or
better still, let it be withheld until they have met their op
portunity and stood the test of tho critical moment and then
their acts will speak for themselves.
It is a pleasant commentary upon the nobility of human
nature that patriotism is not regarded as an .exceptional trait
of character. The absence of it is noted as a moral deformity.
Tho absence of it has long been tho subject of the anathemas
of the poets. (Here he quotes from Scott)
To those who are to remain at home, I beg leave to say that
wo are already under great obligations to you and before this
war is ended this debt will have grown far greater than it is to
night. We go forth as tho representative of South Dakota.
Wo are proud of our state and wo love our noble people.
Whatever we may do that is worthy to be done, its inspiration
will be drawn from our state and country. When far away
and in foreign lands our hearts will yearn for state, for her
sweeping prairies, her parched hillsides, her towns and cities
and her country homes, aye for her mighty storms but always
for her people first.
To those who are to remain at home! God bless you and
God bo with us all."
The Sioux Falls Press says of his prospects as a coming man
of South Dakota. "Whatever may have been the ambitions
of Jonas Lien, his friends expected great things of him in tho
future. Had he returned from the Philippines, it is almost
certain that 'he would have been on the state or congressional
icket in 1900. Only last week a number of the most prominent
politicians of the state wore talkiug of Jonas and they wore all
of tho opinion that ho would bo the youngest raombor of Con"
gross or the youngest governor of South Dakota. But a bullet
ended it all."
No wonder that his sudden death brought sorrow to all
South Dakota. No wonder that South Dakota recognized in
his death a public loss. No wonder that private amusements
and public meetings were postponed in many of tho towns of
tho state.
The Sioux Falls Argus-Leador in an editorial has the follow
ing to say of his death: "All of Jonas Lien's
friends, and he numbered them by hundreds, if not by thous
ands, in all parts of the state, predicted n futuro full of success,
a life valuable not only to himself, but to his friends and to
tho community in which ho had elected to live. Now that is
past aud we have only tho memory of what he was to comfort
us and of tho traits, the manliness, the energy, tho courage,
tho devotion, the broad patriotism, the high ability which won
tho respect and love of those with whom ho came in contact."
We, who were intimate friends of Mr. Lien at thoJJniversity,
feel a personal loss. We feel as though more than a friend
had been taken from us. Words cannot express our feelings.
We had lived with him. Wo had learned 'kto look to him for
advice and help. We always received his interest and co-operation.
Wo see in him now an example by which those who
know him well can profit and gain inspiration for better deeds
and nobler lives. We know no better closing for our tribute
to him whom wo sincerely loved and admired than the words
of a famed orator, at the grave of his brother: "Speech can
not contain our love. There was there is no gentler,
stronger, manlier man."
Union Resolutions.
Inasmuch as our beloved friend and fellow-union, Jonas H.
Lien, in the gallant performance of his duty as an officer and
a soldier, has fallen under his country's flag, died on tho field
of honor, in the forefront of his regiment in its brilliant charge
at Marilas. Therefore, we the members of Union Society in
order to pay our tribute to worth and value.
Resolve, that in the death of Mr. Lien each of us has lost a
true friend and noble companion, and that the society has been
deprived of a faithful nnd tireless worker, a brilliant and
conscientious leader in thought, one whose life was full of
promise to his fellowmen, and
Resolve, that to his wide circle of friends and to his relations,
whose hopes with our's have been so ruthlessly crushed, and
whose hearts have been torn by this untimely loss, we tender
our warmest sympathy in this hour of sorrow, and further,
Resolve, that a copy of these resolutions bo sent to the
relatives of the deceased, and also that copies be furnished to
tho University press for publication.
Amy Shirrl. j
Anna Anderson. ( Com,
ClIARLE8 Kiehlmann. ) Vfjp
Mr. Will Boose of .Plattsmouth was a University visitor last
week and the first of this.
t
