He did for Rome what Jackson did when he destroyed the bank conspiracy and saved America. ( July 8, 1896 ), classic of American political oratory delivered by William Jennings Bryan ( Bryan, William Jennings) in closing the debate on the party platform at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1896. Our website may have some collections that include images that are in the public domain, not protected by copyright or where the copyright ownership is unknown. What we need is an Andrew Jackson to stand as Jackson stood, against the encroachments of aggregated wealth. 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. [95] However, Bryan did gain the support of the Populists, as well as a convention of Silver Republicans. The income tax is a just law. 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. [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 later years Bryan delivered numerous variations on the speech, some captured on early phonograph recordings. [99], Bryan's speech is considered one of the most powerful political addresses in American history. 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. Cleveland friend and former Postmaster General Donald M. Dickinson wrote to the President in June 1896 hoping that the delegates would recognize "common sense" and be frightened at the thought of nominating a radical. Bryan, an advocate for free silver made a speech at the Democratic National Convention which became known as the "Cross of Gold" in his speech he spoke against the gold standard and for silver to be back as a monetary standard. This takeover was considered far more important than was the choice of presidential candidate, and the committee decided to take no position on who should win the race for the nomination, reasoning that the victor, no matter who he was, would be a silver man. Bryan consented, on condition that his own time was extended by the same amount; this was agreed to. 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. Question 9 30 seconds Q. [102] Bryan's emphasis on agrarian issues, both in his speech and in his candidacy, may have helped cement voting patterns which kept the Democrats largely out of power until the 1930s. Why, that man who used to boast that he looked like Napoleon, that man shudders today when he thinks that he was nominated on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. The issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. 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. 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. In passing the Coinage Act, Congress eliminated bimetallism. Conclusion: -main message of Latuff's cartoon process . ; William Jennings Bryan was a leading member of the Democratic party who ran for President several times. Delegates threw hats, coats, and handkerchiefs into the air. It showed American support for european economic interests in East Africa. Second, like many people, Bryan thought the gold standard disadvantaged the working classes and farmers by keeping the price of debt high. [41], One of the leaders of the silver movement was Illinois Governor Altgeld; a native of Germany, he was constitutionally barred from the presidency by his foreign birth. They tell us that this platform was made to catch votes. The dissidents nominated their own ticket; the split in the vote would contribute to Bryan's defeat. ; B. This was close enough to the market value to make it uneconomic to export either US gold or silver coins. You come to us and tell us that the great cities are in favor of the gold standard; we reply that the great cities rest upon our broad and fertile prairies. . Updates? We do not come as individuals. 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 simply intends to put the burdens of government justly upon the backs of the people. [21] He traveled widely, speaking to audiences across the nation. With a two-thirds vote of the delegates needed to nominate, almost every silver delegate would have to vote for the same candidate to assure success, though any organized support from gold delegates would greatly damage a silver candidate's chances. 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 Democratic idea has been that if you legislate to make the masses prosperous their prosperity will find its way up and through every class that rests upon it. William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925), the U.S. congressman from Nebraska, three-time presidential nominee and secretary of state, emerged near the end of the 19th century as a leading voice . . Bryan traveled 18,000 miles by train to give over 600 speeches (36 in one day) to about five million people. They criticize us for our criticism of the Supreme Court of the United States. The 1880s saw a steep decline in the prices of grain and other agricultural commodities. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Bryan later wrote, "This was another unexpected bit of good fortune. He favored the monetary policy . He had already begun work on a speech. Nevertheless, he won the nomination without the votes of the gold delegates, most of whom either left the convention or refused to vote. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cross_of_Gold_speech&oldid=1138712489, United States National Recording Registry recordings, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Pages using infobox event with unknown parameters, Pages using infobox event with blank parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Bryan nominated for president by the Democrats, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 05:01. [51], The debate on the platform opened at the start of the third day of the convention, July 9, 1896. "[69] The gold men, during the address, paid close attention and showed their appreciation for Bryan's oratory. UPTO 50% OFF ON ALL PRODUCTS. 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. As Bryan was not deemed a major contender for the nomination, even delegates committed to a candidate could cheer him without seeming to betray their allegiance. Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook, Inc.) Co-founder and co-CEO of Chan Zuckerberg Initiative . "And I needed it for the speech I was to make." "[55] Hill gave a calm speech defending the gold position, and swayed few delegates. Original size at 383 480. Content can enter the public domain when copyright has expired, has been forfeited or is not applicable. 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.]. One Indiana voter wrote, "God has sent you amongst our people to save the poor from starvation, and we no [sic] you will save us. "[56], Vilas quickly lost his audience, which did not want to hear Cleveland defended. He was known for his deeply held religious beliefs and his popular touch, which earned him the moniker "the Great Commoner." My friends, we have made no criticism. Bryan wanted the United States to use silver to back . Mr. McKinley was the most popular man among the Republicans ; and everybody three months ago in the Republican Party prophesied his election. He was defeated in the general election by the Republican candidate, former Ohio governor William McKinley . At the time, there was no mint in the United States; foreign coins were used. The third ballot saw Bland still in the lead, but Bryan took the lead on the fourth ballot. Silver producers complained, and many Americans came to believe that only through bimetallism could the nation achieve and maintain prosperity. [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. He does use the word gold in a religious allusion, but it's given quite a different meaning. Can you find the other strategies in his speech? We go forth confident that we shall win. As he traveled by rail to Lincoln, he saw farmers and others standing by the tracks, hoping for a glimpse of the new Democratic nominee. Therefore, we care not upon what lines the battle is fought. They are also most often funny. [1][78], Now, Bryan was ready to conclude the speech, and according to his biographer, Michael Kazin, step "into the headlines of American history". . The session was supposed to begin at 10:00a.m., but as delegates, slowed by the long commute from the hotels to the Coliseum and fatigue from the first two days, did not arrive on time, proceedings did not begin until 10:45. We do not come as aggressors. We care not upon which issue they force the fight. [65] Bryan then recounted the history of the silver movement; the audience, which had loudly demonstrated its approval of his opening statements, quieted. According to Barnes: The people of the South and the West had for years been convinced of the enormity of the "crime of 1873", and they had long since come to regard silver as the sword that would cut the Gordian knot of privilege. 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. It made no secret of these preparations. If the gold standard, and I might call your attention to the fact that some of the very people who are in this convention today and who tell you that we ought to declare in favor of international bimetallism and thereby declare that the gold standard is wrong and that the principles of bimetallism are betterthese very people four months ago were open and avowed advocates of the gold standard and telling us that we could not legislate two metals together even with all the world. Bryan's "Cross of Gold" Speech: Mesmerizing the Masses The most famous speech in American political history was delivered by William Jennings Bryan on July 9, 1896, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. [79] As he moved towards his seat, the Coliseum burst into pandemonium. 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. "[22][23], A myth has arisen that Bryan was an unknown prior to 1896. [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. 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. Nevertheless, large crowds gathered outside the public entrances; the galleries were quickly packed. 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 . "[67] By then, as he spoke in a sincere tone, his voice sounded clearly and loudly through the hall. The thirty-six-year-old former Congressman from Nebraska aspired to be the Democratic nominee for president, and he had been skillfully, but quietly, building support for himself among the delegates. 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? 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. BRYAN: CROSS OF GOLD. The full text of William Jenning Bryans famous Cross of Gold speech appears below. With far less money than McKinley, Bryan embarked on a nationwide campaign tour by train on a then-unprecedented scale. Subscribe 84K views 7 years ago This is a speech from Democratic Candidate William Jennings Bryan, which he originally delivered in 1896. Corrections? As a Democratic member of the Ways and Means Committee through two Congresses, Mr. Bryan was by all odds the ablest and strongest orator on the Democratic side of the House. We have petitioned, and our petitions have been scorned; we have entreated, and our entreaties have been disregarded; we have begged, and they have mocked when our calamity came. Afrocentrists, Evangelicals, Hebrew-Israelites and the False Revolution. On the fifth ballot, the Illinois delegation, led by Governor Altgeld, switched its votes from Bland to Bryan. We come to speak of this broader class of business men. Congress did so, but the debates showed bitter divides in both major parties between silver and gold factions. But note the change. His dramatic speaking style and rhetoric roused the crowd to a frenzy. I say it was not a question of persons; it was a question of principle; and it is not with gladness, my friends, that we find ourselves brought into conflict with those who are now arrayed on the other side. [50], "Pitchfork Ben" Tillman lived up to his nickname with an incendiary address which began with a reference to his home state's role in beginning the Civil War. Why this change? But if he means to say that we cannot change our monetary system without protecting those who have loaned money before the change was made, I want to ask him where, in law or in morals, he can find authority for not protecting the debtors when the act of 1873 was passed when he now insists that we must protect the creditor. We say to you that you have made too limited in its application the definition of a businessman. [57] Bryan then defended the right of silver supporters to make their argument against opposition from gold men, who were associated with financial interests, especially in the East. He cared about politics and his religion equally. [82] The convention passed the platform in Bryan's absence and recessed. Cleveland tried to replenish the Treasury through issuance of bonds which could only be purchased with gold, with little effect but to increase the public debt, as the gold continued to be withdrawn in redemption for paper and silver currency. See Also:"I Am a Democrat and not a Revolutionist": Senator David Bennett Hill Defends the Gold Standard"Pitchfork Ben" Tillman Addresses the 1896 Democratic Convention, "I Am a Democrat and not a Revolutionist": Senator David Bennett Hill Defends the Gold Standard, "Pitchfork Ben" Tillman Addresses the 1896 Democratic Convention. If you will read what Thomas Benton said, you will find that he said that in searching history he could find but one parallel to Andrew Jackson. Leave a comment. He faced in the direction of the gold-dominated state delegations: There are two ideas of government. Some people, for the most part Democrats, joined the far-left Populist Party. W.J. We have petitioned, and our petitions have been scorned. They went away apologetically, not having known Bryan sought the nomination. In 1896 William Jennings Bryan gave possibly his most famous speech, " The Cross of Gold" Speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. The sympathies of the Democratic Party, as described by the platform, are on the side of the struggling masses, who have ever been the foundation of the Democratic Party. 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. The BlandAllison Act was vetoed by President Rutherford B. Hayes, but was enacted by Congress over his veto on February 28, 1878. 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