All this space is given to Mr. Clews simply because he is so _perfectly typical_ of the shrewd and powerful capitalist _class_ who rule—rule by wind and a pompous manner when possible and by lead and steel when “necessary.” His case should be explained carefully to the boys and girls of the working class. In the South such men are Democrats; in the North, Republicans. In both regions the working men are neither, if they understand. FOURTH ILLUSTRATION: THE SEVEN DAYS’ BATTLE—THE “BRAINY” PROMOTERS AND THE BOYS IN BLUE: A nation in tears is the business man’s opportunity. Any reference by a Thirtieth-of-May orator to the Seven Days’ Battle makes “big business men” and statesmen throw out their chests, pat their soft white hands and vociferate with perfectly beautiful patriotism. But let us look a little at the record. In Chapter Three of the present volume it was briefly stated that one reason for the capitalists’ wanting war is that war completely concentrates a nation’s attention upon one thing and one thing only; namely, the war; and that while the people are thus “not looking,” the business man and the politicians have a perfect opportunity to arrange “good things” for themselves. And here I shall present a sample of American business men filching “good things” while the public’s attention is wholly absorbed in war. For shameless, treasonable corruption this sample can not be surpassed with the foulest page in the history of the ancient and rotten pagan Roman Empire. Washington during the American Civil War was a robber’s roost for eminently respectable thieves, industrial “bunco-steerers,” and prominent and pious “come-on” financial pirates who were never near the firing line. The very best hotels in the city of Washington were constantly crowded with these patriotic citizens, “brainy men,” distinguished business men—from all parts of the North—a continuous thieves’ banquet by men who socially despised the humble fellows at the front. Cunningly during the entire war these gilt-edged, gold-dust bandits, far from danger of the firing line, plotted deals and steals and stuffed their pockets with “good things”—while brave men from the farms, mines and factories bled and died on the battlefield,—while working class wives and mothers agonized in their desolated humble homes. President Lincoln hated and dreaded these “hold-up” men, and sometimes he vented his splendid wrath against them in immortal words of warning to the people.[143] Washington is such a pleasant place in the kindly, smiling springtime. Business men enjoy that town—while Congress is in session. For many months preceding July, 1862, a certain group of these broadclothed money-gluttons camped in Washington—alert as hawks, keen as hungry tigers sniffing warm blood. This precious group of eminently stealthy Christian business men planned and plotted. Cunningly these pirate patriots arranged a specially “good thing”—of which I wish to tell you here.