The issue of slavery, which brought forth civil war,
Where the highest ideals were steeped in  great gore,
Was finally resolved through emancipation --
Resisted in  all southern parts of the nation.
The struggle took place within the full range
Of a nation sustaining the most basic change:
The farm falling victim to factory and mill
And the village to cities not built on a hill.
On a continnent blessed with minerals and oil
And people who praised the virtues of toil,
Great riches were seen, huge fotunes were made
Through railroads and tariffs and government aid --
Most of which, to the eyes of the pure but observant,
Rested on bribes to alleged public servants.

“Reform” was the cry of Rutherford Hayes,
Who stopped Reconstruction but not the malaise.
“More reform” was the goal of Garfield (that’s James)
Till shot by assassin who had better aims.
Then Chet Arthur reigned (for the Veep that’s the norm)
And finally achieved civil service reform.
Grover Cleveland came next, sponsor of regulation
For interstate commerce, railroads of the nation.
Ben Harrison had what colleagues often lacked
And signed into law an anti-trust act.
Cleveland returned, faced a criisis financial
And subdued all the strikers with forces substantial.
None of these presidents cared much for labor
Or immigrants workers.  “Love thy neighbor” --
To some clergy a sign of spiritual health--
Was not so compelling as the gospel of wealth.