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.)