My working class brothers, mark it well: In the gilded, palatial homes of the industrial masters, in their club houses, in their elegant business offices, in the legislative halls where “statesmen” meet,—there the so-called best people, the still-fed, stall-fed snobs and Caesars of society never for one moment consider the matter of going themselves to the front, never for an instant plan to go themselves into the cyclones of lead and steel or into the death-grasp of disease in war.
To them the idea is so—well, so _unkind_—also ridiculous.
But you, you brothers of the working class, you who toil on and on for cheap clothing, cheap shelter and cheap food—you whose very lives are bought and sold on the installment plan, for wages day by day—you who are forced to become the socially despised human oxen—you—you will be forced to the front, blinded with flattery and confused with gay-colored flags and booming drums—you will virtually be forced to cut your own throats—forced to blow out your own brains and blood with these modern steel destroyers, and forced to expose your lives to the grim curse, Disease. You will groan and scream and slowly rot and die in a dingy hospital tent or shed far from those you love—laughed at (secretly) by the _prominent_ people who have _already_ made up _their_ minds not to go to war.
How long, O brothers of the working class, how long can you be seduced to slay yourselves?
Leading citizens will bring about and brag about the wars.
But you, my brothers, will fight the wars.
Grim Disease waits ready to give you her slimy embrace.
The cold steel machines are ready—ready for heated men.
NOTICE CAREFULLY:—Your wealthy employers are not enlisting for the firing line. _They are immune from the fool’s fever._
Wait a little before you enlist. Think it over—till week after next.
YOU ARE SAFE—(JUST THINK OF IT)—ABSOLUTELY SAFE FROM DEATH IN THE NEXT WAR—IF YOU CAN KEEP OFF THE FIRING LINE TILL THE “PROMINENT GENTLEMEN” OF YOUR COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN ON THE FIRING-LINE FOR THIRTY DAYS.
Once again, brother, admit this thought to your brain:—The working class must be the protectors of their own class—always.[102]
SECTION THREE: PEACEFUL SLAUGHTER—IN INDUSTRY.
Surely it is bad enough to have the workingmen slaughtered while on the battlefield where each is armed and has his heart full of stupid hate for his fellow workingman of some other country. But it is outrageous that men, women, and little children should be killed and wounded by the hundreds of thousands every year in our own country while they are engaged in the useful, peaceful pursuits of industry. Let us briefly consider this matter.