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. This will cease—when the conscious workers successfully _explain capitalism and war_ to the confused and deluded workers. War will cease when we have explained the national and international conspiracy of the capitalist class. War will cease when we rouse the workers of the world _by explaining_. By explaining we inform. By informing we increase intelligence. By increasing intelligence we increase self-respect and the passion for a greater life and for the freedom necessary for a greater life. Therefore, _Explain_—inside and outside the ranks—everywhere—in shop, mill, mine and on the farm. _Explain_ till emperors and presidents _dread their own conscripted and “volunteer” armies_. _Explain_ till murder for board and clothes and $16 a month looks vile. _Explain_ till young working-class men inside and outside the ranks see the light. _Explain_ till an advertisement for human butchers and military fists becomes utterly disgusting to the working class. _Explain_ till our class becomes class conscious—till it sees itself, sees its class interest and its class power. _Explain_ till our class can not be fooled, hired, flattered or forced to butcher or be butchered. _Explain_ till our class, like the capitalist class, understand the political method of class defense. _Explain_ till millions of the roused workers of all political parties clasp hands at the ballot box in a political party of their own class for the defiant self-defense of their own class. _Explain_ till our class clearly sees and proudly declares that we must destroy the capitalist class-labor form of society and _reconstruct society on a plan of rational mutualism_.[317]