Thus also originated the ruling class. Thus originated the “leading citizens.”
Thus, originally, in war, the workers fell into the bottomless gulf of misery. It was thus that war opened wide the devouring jaws of hell for the workers.
Thus was human society long ago divided into industrial classes,—into two industrial classes.
Of course the interests of these two classes were in fundamental conflict, and thus originated the class struggle.
Of course the ruling class were in complete possession and control of all the powers of government—and of course they had sense enough to use the powers of government to defend their own class interests.
Of course the ruling class made all the laws and controlled all institutions in the interest of the ruling class—naturally.
Of course the ruling class socially despised the slaves—that is, despised the working class; this “upper” class felt contempt for the “lower” class—naturally; and thus originated the social degradation, the social stigma that still sticks to the working class, so clearly clings to the workers that, for example, the banker’s daughter does not marry the wage-earning carpenter; the mine-owner’s son does not marry the wage-earning house-maid; the rank and file of union labor are not welcome in the palatial parlors and ball-rooms where the “very best people” are sipping the best champagne and are rhythmically hugging themselves in the dance; the servants, both white and black, in a high-grade (high class, “upper” class) hotel are not even permitted to take a drink of water at the guests’ water fountain tho’ the guest-list may include scores of blasé old reprobates, scores of polygamous parasites, scores of the most infamous, dollar-lusting, law-breaking disreputables in the world. The working class are indeed even yet openly or secretly despised socially by their “betters.”
It was thus and there and then that, long ago, in war, originated the first class-labor form of society, the institution called slavery.[[333]] A class of despised human work animals and a class of domineering masters thus appeared; and these two classes developed, this METHOD OF PRODUCTION developed, to such vast proportions that this CLASS-labor system became the FUNDAMENTAL THING IN THE INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY. It was in this manner that, long ago, one part of society climbed upon the shoulders of the other part of society and became parasites, social parasites, and as a class sunk their parasitic beaks into the industrial flesh of those who had become a working class. (Reread carefully the three quotations at the head of Chapter Ten. They are specially important.)
Of course the industrial blood of the workers tasted good to the masters—that is to say, the more work the slaves did the less work the masters had to do,—and that was lovely, for the masters, for the “leading citizens.” The “leading citizens” knew they had a bright idea—just like a “leading citizen’s” idea of course. The new idea became popular, extremely so—of course. The “leading citizens” were so pleased—with themselves and their “brainy” idea. They were “superior” people—their idea proved that, of course. At that point in human history a ruling class began to flatter themselves and talk in a loud and handsome manner about “the best people,” “the right to ride inferior people,” “the progressive, enterprising part of society,” and so forth. The “leading citizens” knew very well that they had a “good thing”—for the “leading citizens,” for the upper class who thus became so very pleasantly located as an upper class—that is, upon the industrial shoulders of the “lower class,” the working class. (Note carefully the quotation from Dr. Ward at Head of Chapter Ten.)
Very naturally the ruling class at once busied themselves promoting and protecting their new class-work plan, their new idea. The idea was their idea and it was such a splendid idea. Indeed slavery was such a perfectly delightful idea—for the rulers—that, being “gentlemen of push and enterprise,” they eagerly studied the problem of developing ways and means of extending their new advantage. They thought. They planned—to manage the new human mule.