|
|
ROBERT E. LEE: OUR SPIRITUAL FOUNDER
Kappa Alpha Order and its members are widely known for our association with Robert E. Lee. Kappa Alphas have never claimed that Lee was an initiated member of the Order, but we do rejoice that KA was born under the white light of his noble life. We are immensely proud and honored that his ideals were woven into KA's soul, and that he is, in a profoundly real sense, our spiritual founder.
It is difficult to define greatness, but a great man is easily recognizable. Kappa Alphas have no trouble seeing that Lee was indeed a great man. He was great in heart, mind, will and character. Just as he once trained and educated men at the United States Military Academy, in the U.S. Army and at Washington College, his legacy continues this work today. Death has only added to his stature; he molds men now more than ever. The fingerprints are on our motto, his ethics are the focus of our service and his ideals are in our blood. He is forever woven into the fabric of our conduct and conscience.
Robert Edward Lee was born January 19, 1807 at his family's plantation "Stratford Hall" in Westmoreland County. Continuing in the military tradition of his father, Lee entered West Point in 1825 and graduated second in his class in 1829. Serving various military duties in Georgia, Virginia, New York, Texas, and Mexico over the next 23 years, Lee's reputation increased in recognition and respectability, and in 1852 he was named superintendant of West Point. From February of 1860 until February of 1861, Lee commanded the Department of Texas--the largest number of troops he had ever commanded. It was during this time that the secession movment began, and Lee had to evaluate his position as a Whig devoted to the Union and as a Virginian. At this point, he did not agree with the political and economic arguments for Southern independence. Though, unfortunate as the choice was, if pressed to choose between fighting for Virginia or for the Union, Lee realized the decision would be simple. Lee's loyalities proved to be on the side of the South because of his family tradition in and association with the state of Virginia.
On April 18, 1861 Lee was offered field command of the United States Army. On the following day, he received word that Virginia had seceeded from the Union; he submitted his letter of resignation from the United States Army on April 20. Three days later, Lee accepted the position of commander of Virginia forces. From this point onward, Lee's identity became intrinsically linked to the Confederate cause. At the age of 55, on May 31, 1862, Robert E. Lee was assigned to command the troops which he named "The Army of Northern Virginia". During the Civil War he worked closely with Jefferson Davis, J.E.B. Stuart. He is best known for his victories in the Battle of second Manassas (second Bull Run), and the Battle of Chancellorsville. Named General-In-Chief of all Confederate Armies on February 6, 1865, his tenure in this position was cut short by his surrender to General Grant at the Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, thus ending the Civil War.
Of course, Lee was not happy with the outcome of the war, but he knew that man must progress and move forward. He bore malice towards none. The example he set was that the war was over, and that Americans must reunite and become the best citizens they could be. Lee often said, "Let the past be but the past. Let us move forward and bear no malice."
Determined to set an example for fellow Southerners, he hoped the emotions of the war years would soon be forgotten and the work of rebuilding Virginia, the South and the United States into a great, unified America could be accomplished. The day after the surrender he told General U. S. Grant that, "he (Lee) should devote his whole efforts to pacifying the country and bringing the people back to the Union." Lee was at once criticized by fellow Confederate generals and politicians for taking a reconciliatory stance. Lee replied, "I need not tell you that true patriotism sometimes requires a man to act exactly contrary at one period to that which he does at another, and the motive which impels him, the desire to do right, is precisely the same." His superb dignity, courage, and noble character in the difficult post-war years intensified admiration for him, earning him the respect of even his former enemies. In defeat, Lee achieved his highest level of greatness.
In the summer of 1865, the Board of Trustees of Washington College voted unanimously to offer the college presidency to Lee. Although he could have accepted many other lucrative positions, the college presidency most appealed to him. The offer combined the opportunity to serve others, to guide young men in rebuilding the South, and to educate them for the purpose, as he said, "of being good Americans." Accepting the trustees' offer, Lee and his family moved to the small hamlet of Lexington in October 1865. Thus, the final phase of his career began - that of a gifted and innovative educator and inspirational leader of youth.
In this capacity, Lee became an academic revolutionary. He looked ahead to see what the needs of the nation were going to be. He knew that a new era had arrived, one that dictated a new person. So, he trained his students for the needs of rebuilding and reconstruction. He did this not only in the classroom, but also through personal example. "Excellence" applied not only to academics, but also to general conduct, as illustrated by Lee's statement, "We have but one rule here and that is that every student must be a gentleman."
Not only did Lee bring new ideas to the field of education and insist on excellence, but he also used his position to practice what he preached Ð reconciliation and the healing of old wounds. Lee knew that the futures of Virginia and the South, if they were to grow and succeed, were tied with the North. So, the spirit of unity and the enrollment of northern students was a must if Washington College was to accomplish its mission of training young men to rebuild the Union. Lee knew the healing process would begin with the students' interaction and he knew that they would teach and learn from each other.
Lee suffered a stroke on September 28, 1870 in Lexington and died a few weeks later on October 12. He now rests on the campus of Washington and Lee University at the rear of Lee Chapel - the chapel he erected in preference to having the money spent upon a home for himself. Unknowingly, he had built a shrine for himself and a monument to his character.
Each student at Washington College was greatly influenced by this man. His sense of duty and honor and his hope of rebuilding the nation were overwhelming. It is then easy to understand why Ammen and our founders were so affected by Lee and his lessons of life. Our founders--all attracted by the presence of Lee--were inspired by the greatness of Lee to found Kappa Alpha Order and to perpetuate his values. To them, he personified the heroic knights of the past, representing their noblest ideals and traditions of chivalrous behavior. Indeed, even before his death, Lee was referred to as the "Knight of America" and "The Last Gentle Knight." It is this legacy which was adopted as the moving force of Kappa Alpha Order.
Annually, on the anniversary of Lee's birthday, active and alumni chapters gather for Convivium, a celebration commemorating the founding of KA and Lee's spiritual ties to the Order.
It is in our philosophy that Lee is so apparent, and that is why Graves was able to state that Lee was, "the proof and indication" of something that is higher. Lee, in his daily actions, letters and conversations, represented the perfect example of what the best in man can attain. He was a living example of what the founders and the first Kappa Alphas were aspiring to emulate. Ammen wrote that the ideal of the gentleman," is that of the chivalrous warrior of Christ, the knight who loves God and country, honors and protects pure womanhood, practices self-respect to ill-gotten wealth." To Ammen and others, Lee in his daily walk, was this perfect gentleman. Therefore, we can look to Lee and examine his philosophy and characteristics to learn more about our own set of ideals. He exemplifies the highest standards, the most chivalrous conduct and the finest traits of manliness, and it is in this aspect that KAs regard him as the spiritual founder of our fraternity.
|
|
|
|
