What Dr. Ward calls the “spirit of aggression” will fade and finally expire when the condition (the parasitic opportunity) which cultivates the “spirit of aggression” is destroyed.
The founders of the American republic resisted fearlessly, by force too. But the working class in the United States at present should not, and cannot now, with advantage, resist by force and force alone, and that for very good reasons:
First:—We of the working class in the United States have now for our own class defense another, and better, form of power, a form of power less dangerous, less expensive, quieter and more legal and therefore more strategic,—a form of power that makes the capitalist class dread the awakening of the working class; namely, our political power—our united ballots.
Second:—Until we are intelligent enough to strategically defend our class with our united ballots we shall be too dull, even if it should be necessary, to use force of arms successfully in defense of our class. It seems unwise to counsel the use of the ruder methods of armed force until, having developed the necessary intelligence, we have by trial fairly tested our peace powers, our political powers—our united ballots. (See special paragraph, page [303].)
Third:—We are not politically prepared,—that is, we are not legally in possession of the powers of government, and therefore we are not in strong position to protect our class with all our forms of power legally. And until we are prepared we shall be used and abused.
Thus it is evident we can not, with advantage, use physical force.
What must we do?
We must destroy capitalism and close the class struggle.
In all the variations of the struggles or wars of capitalism the working class are hired, flattered, fooled, or forced to do all the actual fighting.
This must cease—as soon as possible—as a preliminary.