"[67] By then, as he spoke in a sincere tone, his voice sounded clearly and loudly through the hall. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. 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. Although he would only be 36 years old in 1896one year above the constitutional minimumhe believed the silver question could carry him not only to the nomination, but to the presidency. 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. These statements may involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity and performance to be materially different from the expectations and projections of Globex. Born Mark Elliot Zuckerberg May 14, 1984 (age 38) White Plains, New York, U.S. Education: Harvard University (dropped out) Occupations: Internet entrepreneur, philanthropist. Senators, Bryan rose to speak. The money went for speakers, pamphlets, and other means of conveying their "sound money" campaign to the voter. 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]. Publishing regularly in Harper's Weekly . I am in favor of an income tax. The income tax is a just law. They manufactured that leader in the convention, a fabrication in which Bryan was only too happy to assist.[108]. [27] However, part of his strategy was to remain inconspicuous until the last possible moment at the convention. He would subsequently win the Democratic nomination for president in 1900 and again . With the powerful words he used, Bryan showed his support to the Populists. However, he lost the general election to William McKinley, and the United States formally adopted the gold standard in 1900. When McKinley and his advisers, such as industrialist and future senator Mark Hanna, realized that the views were more than transitory, they began intensive fundraising from corporations and the wealthy. Handout 4: Cross of Gold Speech, one copy for each student Handout 4: Cross of Gold SpeechTeacher Answer Key Handout 5: Assessment, one copy for each student Five signs on large sheets of paper or cardstock with one of the following written on each: Inflation, Deflation, Gold Notes, Silver Notes, and Greenbacks. Will it choose blessings or cursingslife or deathwhich? [100] Stanley Jones, however, suggested that even if Bryan had never delivered it, he would still have been nominated. We beg no longer; we entreat no more; we petition no more. But we stand here representing people who are the equals before the law of the largest cities in the state of Massachusetts. W.J. Bryan is arguing against the gold standard and so he isn't apt to paint gold in those idyllic terms. The 1880s saw a steep decline in the prices of grain and other agricultural commodities. Hear William Jennings Bryan deliver his Cross of Gold speech at the Democratic National Convention, William Jennings Bryan: presidential campaign poster, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/event/Cross-of-Gold-speech, The Library of Congress - "Cross of Gold" Speech, Public Broadcasting Service - Cross of Gold Speech. We defy them! [5] It was not until 1834 that Congress acted, changing the gold/silver ratio to 16.002:1. Pamphlet. Bryan, once seated, was Nebraska's representative to the Committee on Resolutions (generally called the "platform committee"), which allocated 80minutes to each side in the debate and selected Bryan as one of the speakers. Although Altgeld and his adherents urged voters to distinguish between Cleveland and his party, the Democrats lost 113 seats in the House in the 1894 midterm elections, the greatest loss by a majority party in congressional history. [103][104], Writer Edgar Lee Masters called the speech, "the beginning of a changed America. We do not come as aggressors. Bryan made a speech called "Cross of Gold", which had a strong reaction with the audience and included religious imagery. We do not come as aggressors. [19] Among those defeated for Senate was Bryan in Nebraska. An 1896 cartoon of William Jennings Bryan supporting "Free Silver." What exactly did he mean that money did not need to be "backed" by gold? 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 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. 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? I shall object to bringing this question down to a level of persons. Mr. McKinley was the most popular man among the Republicans ; and everybody three months ago in the Republican Party prophesied his election. 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. [1][78], Now, Bryan was ready to conclude the speech, and according to his biographer, Michael Kazin, step "into the headlines of American history". There were a large number of potential candidates seen as having less support; these included Vice President Adlai Stevenson of Illinois, Senator Joseph C. Blackburn of Kentucky, Senator Teller, and Bryan.[43]. [65] Bryan then recounted the history of the silver movement; the audience, which had loudly demonstrated its approval of his opening statements, quieted. "[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". 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. It is because no private character, however pure, no personal popularity, however great, can protect from the avenging wrath of an indignant people the man who will either declare that he is in favor of fastening the gold standard upon this people, or who is willing to surrender the right of self-government and place legislative control in the hands of foreign potentates and powers. They complain about the plank which declares against the life tenure in office. I stand with Jefferson rather than with them, and tell them, as he did, that the issue of money is a function of the government and that the banks should go out of the governing business. You come to us and tell us that the great cities are in favor of the gold standard. The Republican Party made policies that supported big business. It revealed that the U.S. had become a world power. [66][70], Through this passage, Bryan maintained the contrast between the common man and the city-dwelling elite. We have entreated, and our entreaties have been disregarded. 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. Reprinted in The Annals of America, Vol. If they say bimetallism is good, but that we cannot have it until other nations help us, we reply that, instead of having a gold standard because England has, we will restore bimetallism, and then let England have bimetallism because the United States has it. Although the recording does not capture the power and drama of the original address, it does allow us to hear Bryan delivering this famous speech.]. [84][85] On the second ballot, Bryan still stood second, but had gained as other candidates had fallen away. The legislation also established the Mint of the United States. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. His sympathetic comparison contrasted the hardworking farmer with the city businessman, whom Bryan cast as a gambler. The full text of William Jenning Bryans famous Cross of Gold speech appears below. The image that is selected for the analysis is from the pre-1856 epoch of US history, and it represents the imagination of the political and social life as it was imagined by artists. There is more reason for him to do that than for us to expect to fail to maintain the parity. The bill, as modified by amendments sponsored by Iowa Senator William B. Allison, did not reverse the 1873 provisions, but required the Treasury to purchase a minimum of $2 million of silver bullion per month; the profit, or seignorage from monetizing the silver was to be used to purchase more silver bullion. [59] As he concluded his historical recitation, he reminded the silver delegates that they had come to crown their victory, "not to discuss, not to debate, but to enter up the judgment already rendered by the plain people of this country".[66]. Gold and silver factions in some states, such as Bryan's Nebraska, sent rival delegations to the convention. [16] By 1893, his views on silver had evolved, and on the floor of the House of Representatives, he delivered a riveting three-hour address against repeal of the Silver Purchase Act. [1], Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests, and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. [98], After McKinley's inauguration in March 1897, increases in gold availability from new discoveries and improved refining methods led to a considerable increase in the money supply. Bryan later wrote, "This was another unexpected bit of good fortune. "Strictly confidential, not to be quoted for publication: I will be. [58] Bryan's lecture tours had left him a well-known spokesman for silver. The warmest ties of love and acquaintance and association have been disregarded. Some of the impoverished died of disease or starvation; others killed themselves.[15]. I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of libertythe cause of humanity. All rights reserved. It simply intends to put the burdens of government justly upon the backs of the people. [49][50], Delegates, as they waited for the committees to complete their work, spent much of the first two days listening to various orators. William Jennings Bryan and the Cross of Gold Speech - US 101 - YouTube In 1896, former Nebraska Congressman William Jennings Bryan became the Democratic nominee for President by delivering. We say in our platform that we believe that the right to coin money and issue money is a function of government. "[92], When McKinley heard that Bryan was likely to be the nominee, he called the report "rot" and hung up the phone. "[92] A farmer in Iowa, in a letter to Bryan, stated, "You are the first big man that i [sic] ever wrote to. The majority of cartoons are from the 1908 campaigan, but there cartoons that feature 1920 election and Bryan's borther Charles Bryan. 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. One after another, state conventions to elect delegates to the national convention in Chicago repudiated an incumbent elected president of their party, who had not declared whether he would be a candidate for renomination. American cartoon by Grant Hamilton, 1896, on William Jennings Bryan's 'Cross of Gold' speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which won Bryan the presidential nomination. It is for these that we speak. He then defended the remainder of the platform, though only speaking in general terms. bimetallism), which he believed would bring the nation prosperity. He favored the monetary policy . It demonstrated the need for better communications in wartime. 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. The dissidents nominated their own ticket; the split in the vote would contribute to Bryan's defeat. Governmental response to this shortage was hampered by the fact that officials did not clearly understand what had happened. We believe it. Bryan's 1896 campaign was groundbreaking for more than his oratorical skill. The temporary chairmanship, for example, would have permitted him to deliver the keynote address. . (This inflationary measure would have increased the amount of money in circulation and aided cash-poor and debt-burdened farmers.) We believe it is a part of sovereignty and can no more with safety be delegated to private individuals than can the power to make penal statutes or levy laws for taxation. Therefore, we care not upon what lines the battle is fought. But destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country. American cartoon by Grant Hamilton, 1896, on William Jennings Bryan's 'Cross of Gold' speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which won Bryan the presidential nomination. The Populists would reach the high water mark of their political power in 1896, when the Democratic Party nominated William Jennings Bryan as its candidate for President of . [81] Bryan was urged by Senator Jones to allow it, but refused, stating that if his boom would not last overnight, it would never last until November. It made no secret of these preparations. [34], The Bimetallic Committee carefully planned to take control of every aspect of the convention, eliminating any threat that the minority gold faction could take power. Mr. He says he also wants to amend this platform so as to provide that if we fail to maintain the parity within a year that we will then suspend the coinage of silver. 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. "[1], As Bryan spoke his final sentence, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus, he placed his hands to his temples, fingers extended; with the final words, he extended his arms to his sides straight out to his body and held that pose for about five seconds as if offering himself as sacrifice for the cause, as the audience watched in dead silence. Nevertheless, Senator John W. Daniel of Virginia was by an overwhelming vote elected temporary chairman, and a Committee on Credentials was appointed that seated Bryan and his contesting Nebraska delegation.[47]. The income tax was not unconstitutional when it was passed. Albert Shaw, editor of The Review of Reviews, stated that after Bryan's nomination, many easterners professed not to have heard of him but: "If, indeed, they had not heard of Mr. Bryan before, they had failed to follow closely the course of American politics in the past eight years. "[60] Bensel noted, "The pump was more than primed, it was ready to explode. The silver campaign of 1896 was a big controversy among the people. Some people, for the most part Democrats, joined the far-left Populist Party. At the time, Bryan was a former member of Congress from Nebraska who had been working tirelessly to build support for his candidacy. Bryan considered this no loss at all; the focus of the convention was on the party platform and the debate which would precede its adoption. Four years previously, the former Nebraska congressman had electrified Democratic delegates with his "Cross of Gold" speech, which defined the policy of "free silver" as a moral crusade and helped propel him to the party's presidential nomination . Consciousness of grievances of years and not of months was reflected in the decisive action of the state Democratic conventions in the spring and early summer of 1896. No, my friends, that will never be the verdict of our people. Gold Democrats were successful in a few states in the Northeast, but had little luck elsewhere. Introduction. Although Bryan had decided on a strategy to gain the nominationto give a speech which would make him the logical candidate in the eyes of delegateshe faced obstacles along the way. Latuff here in this cartoon is showing the uncaring of the president to the country. The person who gave the Cross of Gold speech was the orator and politician William Jennings Bryan. [97] Bryan won the South and most of the West, but McKinley's victories in the more populous Northeast and Midwest carried him to the presidency. But in the early 20th century, the fame of Bryans Cross of Gold speech led him to repeat it numerous times on the Chautauqua lecture circuit where he was an enormously popular speaker. His speech, delivered at the close of the debate on the party platform, electrified the convention and is generally credited with earning him the nomination for president. Silver advocates argued that this dropoff, which caused the price of grain to fall below its cost of production, was caused by the failure of the government to adequately increase the money supply, which had remained steady on a per capita basis. [64] According to Bensel, the self-deprecation helped disarm the delegates. . 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