In December, 1855, William Lewis Lockwood wrote his feelings about the fraternity he had helped create. He was the only "outsider"; he had not been a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity as the other six had been. On January 5, 1856, he spoke to his six brothers:
"I look back over the few short months since our union of kindred hears and minds was brother forth. The offspring of love and good intent!. . .Many difficulties will beset our path, but like David we must go forth alone to fight the Philistines, and like him we will conquer and shall be the best of old Miami's sons.

But in order to become so, we each and every one must struggle upward and onward. Let us strive to be rich and great, not in lands and money, not with the vulgar throng, but rich in mental worth, great among the intellectual. . .and good, that `thy spirit shall come at times to the dreams of men to settle peace within their souls.' Let us spare no labor, nor be sparing of toil. Let us give our whole strength to the work, and endeavor to fill with honor the place where we are."

Lockwood concluded his thoughts on that January evening with these prophetic words:

"And when the green on our graves has mouldered away, some gray warrior sitting by night at the blazing fire will tell thy deeds to his sons, and they shall bless and admire the men of old."