those who dont learn history

found an interesting tidbit reading an old history book.
Mark Twain wrote this in 1901.

The Battle Hymn of the Republic

(Brought Down to Date)

 

Mine eyes have seen the orgy of the launching of the

            Sword;

He is searching out the hoardings where the stranger’s

            wealth is stored;

He hath loosed his fateful lightnings, and with woe

and death has scored

HIS LUST IS MARCHING ON.

 

I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred

circling camps,

They have builded him an altar in the Eastern dews

and damps;

I have read his doomful mission by the dim and

flaring lamps –

HIS NIGHT IS MARCHING ON.

 

I have read his bandit gospel writ in burnished rows

of steel:

“As ye deal with my pretensions, so with you my

wrath shall deal:

Let the faithless son of Freedom crush the patriot

with his heel;

LO, GREED IS MARCHING ON!”

 

In a sordid slime harmonious, Greed was born in

yonder ditch,

With a longing in his bosom – and for others’ goods

an itch –

As Christ died to make men holy, let men die to

make us rich –

OUR GOD IS MARCHING ON!