I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of libertythe cause of humanity. Circulars were being distributed in Illinois, and admirers in Nebraska, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and other states were urging his selection among their friends. A third attempt in early 1878 again passed the House, and eventually both houses after being amended in the Senate. [9], To advocates of what became known as free silver, the 1873 act became known as the "Crime of '73". We care not upon which issue they force the fight. [79] Others took up the standards with the state names on them with each delegation, and planted them by Nebraska's. The humblest citizen in all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause is stronger than all the whole hosts of error that they can bring. His subsequent canvass [campaign] for the United States senatorship in Nebraska was noteworthy and conspicuous on many accounts. There are those who believe that if you just legislate to make the well-to-do prosperous, that their prosperity will leak through on those below. [58] Bryan's lecture tours had left him a well-known spokesman for silver. When the Republicans in June 1896 nominated former Ohio Governor William McKinley for president and passed at his request a platform strongly supporting "sound money" (the gold standard unless modified by international agreement), a number of "Silver Republicans" walked out of the convention. Hamilton proposed a monetary system based on bimetallism, in which the new currency would be equal to a given amount of gold, or a larger amount of silver; at the time a given weight of gold was worth about 15 times as much as the same amount of silver. 19. At the time, Bryan was a former member of Congress from Nebraska who had been working tirelessly to build support for his candidacy. (This inflationary measure would have increased the amount of money in circulation and aided cash-poor and debt-burdened farmers.) However, as late as June, the gold forces, which still controlled the Democratic National Committee (DNC), continued to believe that the nominee could be pro-gold. [84][85] On the second ballot, Bryan still stood second, but had gained as other candidates had fallen away. Why, if they tell us that the gold standard is a good thing, we point to their platform and tell them that their platform pledges the party to get rid of a gold standard and substitute bimetallism. It revealed that the U.S. had become a world power. The Cross of Gold speechwas delivered by William Jennings Bryan, a former United States Representativefrom Nebraska, at the Democratic National Conventionin Chicagoon July 9, 1896. [33] Silver forces were supported by the Democratic National Bimetallic Committee, the umbrella group formed in 1895 to support silver Democrats in their insurgency against Cleveland. In 1921 (25 years after the original speech), he recorded portions of the speech for Gennett Records in Richmond, Indiana. This was close enough to the market value to make it uneconomic to export either US gold or silver coins. [87], According to the New York World, "Lunacy having dictated the platform, it was perhaps natural that hysteria should evolve the candidate. Why, as individuals we might have been glad to compliment the gentleman from New York [Senator Hill], but we knew that the people for whom we speak would never be willing to put him in a position where he could thwart the will of the Democratic Party. The platform would symbolize the repudiation of Cleveland and his policies after the insurgents' long struggle, and Bryan was determined to close the debate on the platform. [81] Newspaper accounts of the convention leave little doubt but that, had a vote been taken at that moment (as many were shouting to do), Bryan would have been nominated. Our war is not a war of conquest; we are fighting in the defense of our homes, our families, and posterity. Our ancestors, when but 3 million, had the courage to declare their political independence of every other nation upon earth. "[80], It took about 25minutes to restore order, and according to Bensel, "somewhere in the mass demonstration that was convulsing the convention hall, the transfer of sentiment from silver as a policy to Bryan as a presidential candidate took place". I shall object to bringing this question down to a level of persons. Full text and audio version of "Cross of Gold" at History Matters. It showed American support for european economic interests in East Africa. [37] He arrived convinced that he would win the nomination. No, my friends, it will never be the judgment of this people. William Jennings Bryan delivered his "Cross of Gold" speech at the Democratic National Convention in July of 1896 as part of his bid for the party's presidential nomination. People who were free-silver thought that currency reform would end them. Bryan had been a dark horse candidate with little support in the convention. The cartoon charges Mister Bryan with disrespect for religion Bryan ended his. All rights reserved. Gold and silver factions in some states, such as Bryan's Nebraska, sent rival delegations to the convention. Our ancestors, when but three millions in number, had the courage to declare their political independence of every other nation; shall we, their descendants, when we have grown to seventy millions, declare that we are less independent than our forefathers? [44] Bryan had been waiting outside the committee room when his rivals were seated by a 2723 vote; contemporary accounts state he was "somewhat surprised" at the result. from Harper's Weekly, 18 July, 1896. How is it today? "And I needed it for the speech I was to make." [103][104], Writer Edgar Lee Masters called the speech, "the beginning of a changed America. "[56], Vilas quickly lost his audience, which did not want to hear Cleveland defended. Bryan continued with language evoking the Civil War, telling his audience that "in this contest brother has been arrayed against brother, father against son. At the time, there was no mint in the United States; foreign coins were used. [88] The St. Louis Post-Dispatch opined that with the speech, Bryan "just about immortalized himself". Upon the side of the idle holders of idle capital, or upon the side of the struggling masses? The man who is employed for wages is as much a businessman as his employer. The new unit of currency was defined to be equal to 24.75 grains (1.604g) of gold, or alternatively, 371.25 grains (24.057g) of silver, establishing a ratio of value between gold and silver of 15:1. That was Cicero, who destroyed the conspiracies of Cataline and saved Rome. Jones points out that though Bryan's speaking engagements were not deemed political by the standards of 1896, by modern measurements he was far more active in campaigning for the nomination than most of the better-known candidates.[29]. They tell us that this platform was made to catch votes. More than a century after Bryan delivered that speech, his words still have power, and some of his metaphors still appear in political speeches and platforms. The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. Vilas gave a lengthy defense of the Cleveland administration's policies, so long that Russell, fearing that Vilas' speech would cut into his time, asked that the time given to the gold proponents be extended by ten minutes. W.J. The silver would be struck into dollar coins to be circulated, or else stored and used as backing for silver certificates. [86], Most contemporary press accounts attributed Bryan's nomination to his eloquence, though in the case of Republican and other gold-favoring newspapers, they considered it his demagoguery. His opponent, William Jennings Bryan (who Littlefield suggested was represented by the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz) was famous for his "Cross of Gold" speech. The Republican Party platform for the election, formulated at its convention in St. Louis in June, declared, We are unalterably opposed to every measure calculated to debase our currency. When the Democrats gathered a few weeks later, their platform called for the free and unlimited coinage of both silver and gold. In an eloquent plea for the coinage of silver and an attack on the thesis that gold was the only sound backing for currency, Bryan closed with the peroration, you shall not press down on the brow of labor this crown of thorns. On the fifth ballot, the Illinois delegation, led by Governor Altgeld, switched its votes from Bland to Bryan. When you come before us and tell us that we shall disturb your business interests, we reply that you have disturbed our business interests by your action. Cross of Gold title of speech William Jennings Bryan gave Cross of Gold speech at Democratic National Covention Nebraska congressman seeking presidential nomination Democratic National Convention To whom did Bryan gives his Cross of Gold Speech in Chicago? The President's move was opposed by the Democratic Governor of Illinois, John Altgeld. "[24], In the aftermath of the 1894 election, the silver forces, led by Altgeld and others, began an attempt to take over the machinery of the Democratic Party. Three months later, at Memphis, an organization was perfected, and the silver Democrats went forth openly and boldly and courageously proclaiming their belief and declaring that if successful they would crystallize in a platform the declaration which they had made; and then began the conflict with a zeal approaching the zeal which inspired the crusaders who followed Peter the Hermit. Bryan traveled 18,000 miles by train to give over 600 speeches (36 in one day) to about five million people. In passing the Coinage Act, Congress eliminated bimetallism. But note the change. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Cross of Gold speech, classic of American political oratory delivered on July 8, 1896, by William Jennings Bryan in closing the debate on the party platform at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago during the campaign for the presidential election of 1896. In his "Cross of Gold" speech, Bryan argued that the debate over monetary policy was part of a broader struggle for democracy, political independence and the welfare of the "common man." Bryan's speech was met with rapturous applause and a celebration on the floor of the convention that lasted for over half an hour. "[67] Harpine suggested that, "by appealing in such an uncompromising way to the agrarian elements and to the West, Bryan neglected the national audience who would vote in the November election". Welcome to a series on William Jennings Bryan's famous 1896 Cross of Gold speech. President Cleveland sent federal troops to Illinois to end the Pullman strikeworkers at the Pullman Palace Car Company, which made railroad cars, had struck after wages were cut. What we need is an Andrew Jackson to stand as Jackson stood, against the encroachments of aggregated wealth. [32], The 1896 Democratic convention opened at the Chicago Coliseum on July 7, 1896. In the "Cross of Gold" speech, Bryan argued that the Democratic Party's focus on bi-metallism in its platform was justified because a gold standard alone could not solve the country's problems at the time, including debt, small business failure, and monopolies. Why doesnt he tell us what he is going to do if they fail to secure an international agreement. [90], The Pullman Company offered Bryan a private car for his trip home; he declined, not wishing to accept corporate favors. The 36-year old Bryan was an avowed bimetallist, placed himself in the tradition of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson against moneyed interests and in favor of "hardy pioneers who braved all. The gold standard, which the United States had effectively been on since 1873, limited the money supply but eased trade with other nations, such as the United Kingdom, whose currency was also based on gold. The bankers did not want loans repaid in an inflated currencythe gold standard was deflationary, and as creditors, they preferred to be paid in such a currency, whereas debtors preferred to repay in inflated currency. More than that, we can tell them this, that they will search the pages of history in vain to find a single instance in which the common people of any land ever declared themselves in favor of a gold standard. 1896 speech by U.S. politician William Jennings Bryan in support of a bimetallic standard, William Jennings Bryan being carried on the shoulders of delegates after giving the speech, Also attributed to an 1892 speech by President, For additional detail on the political career of William Jennings Bryan before and during the 1896 campaign, see, For a fuller explanation of the procedures of American political conventions, see, Possible recording of the original speech, Audio excerpt of the speech later recorded by William Jennings Bryan, William Jennings Bryan presidential campaign, 1896, United States presidential nominating convention, William Jennings Bryan presidential campaign, 1896 General election campaign, Official Proceedings of the 1896 Democratic National Convention. According to William Jennings Byran:. He had already begun work on a speech. Bryan, having established the right of silver supporters to petition, explained why that petition was not to be denied: It is for these that we speak. Analysis Of William Bryan'S The Cross Of Gold Speech: [Essay Example], 692 words GradesFixer. The late 19th century saw divergent views in economics as the laissez-faire orthodoxy was questioned by younger economists, and both sides found ample support for their views from theorists. It offers discussion questions, classroom activities, and primary source analysis tools. [87] The pro-silver Cleveland Plain Dealer called Bryan's speech "an eloquent, stirring, and manly appeal". Can you find the other strategies in his speech? However, he lost the general election to William McKinley, and the United States formally adopted the gold standard in 1900. Pursuant to this promise, government gold reserves dwindled over the following three years. [10], Implementation of the BlandAllison Act did not end calls for free silver. Many Republicans in the western states, dismayed by the strong allegiance of eastern Republicans to the gold standard, considered forming their own party. Bryan did not think it was necessary for the United States to hold in reserve an amount of gold equal in value to all the paper money in circulation. The government pledged to stand behind the silver dollars and treasury notes issued under the act by redeeming them in gold. Although Hamilton understood that adjustment might be needed from time to time as precious metal prices fluctuated, he believed that if the nation's unit of value were defined only by one of the two precious metals used for coins, the other would descend to the status of mere merchandise, unusable as a store of value. A. He says that mankind won't be crucified on a cross of gold. It made no secret of these preparations. Let me call attention to two or three great things. When I find a man who is not willing to pay his share of the burden of the government which protects him, I find a man who is unworthy to enjoy the blessings of a government like ours. It is for these that we speak. bimetallism), which he believed would bring the nation prosperity. Not only that, but as he listens he can hear with ever increasing distinctness the sound of the waves as they beat upon the lonely shores of St. Helena. Accordingly, Bryan became the final speaker on the platform. Introduction: -attractions of a political cartoon ii. [105] Author and political commentator William Safire, in his political dictionary, traced the term "trickle-down economics" (common in the Reagan era) to Bryan's statement that some believe that government should legislate for the wealthy, and allow prosperity to "leak through" on those below. I tell you that the great cities rest upon these broad and fertile prairies. 7.5 x 4.75 in. It was clear to listeners as he worked his way through the comparisons that he would refer to the farmer, and when he did, the hall exploded with sound. The gentleman who just preceded me [Governor Russell] spoke of the old state of Massachusetts. The galleries were filled with white as spectators waved handkerchiefs, and it was several minutes before he could continue. Russell's address was inaudible to most of the Coliseum; he was ill and died just over a week later. Although Bryan ran again on a silver platform in the 1900 presidential election, the issue failed to produce the same resonance with the voters. Ah, my friends. Now, my friends, let me come to the great paramount issue. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. One farmer in the gallery had been about to leave rather than listen to Bryan, whom he deemed a Populist; he had been persuaded to stay. [7], The Coinage Act of 1873 eliminated the standard silver dollar. [6], 8, [4] pages, wraps. The Cross of Gold speech was delivered by William Jennings Bryan, a former United States Representative from Nebraska, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9, 1896. We defy them! He faced in the direction of the gold-dominated state delegations: There are two ideas of government. TABLE 7 Comparative Analysis of Two Theoretical Explanations of Personality . The temporary chairmanship, for example, would have permitted him to deliver the keynote address. [25] Bryan biographer Paulo E. Coletta wrote, "during this year [July 1894 June 1895] of calamities, disintegration and revolution, each crisis aided Bryan because it caused division within his party and permitted him to contest for its mastery as it slipped from Cleveland's fingers.