Welcome to a series on William Jennings Bryan's famous 1896 Cross of Gold speech. Mr. Jefferson, who was once regarded as good Democratic authority, seems to have a different opinion from the gentleman who has addressed us on the part of the minority. If they ask us why we did not embody all these things in our platform which we believe, we reply to them that when we have restored the money of the Constitution, all other necessary reforms will be possible, and that until that is done there is no reform that can be accomplished. [5] It was not until 1834 that Congress acted, changing the gold/silver ratio to 16.002:1. 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 . Delegates called for better-known speakers, such as Altgeld or Bryan, but were granted neither then; the Illinois governor declined, and the Nebraskan, once seated, spent much of his time away from the convention floor at the platform committee meeting at the Palmer House. [42] Going into the convention, the two leading candidates for the nomination were former Congressman Bland, who had originated the Bland-Allison Act, and former Iowa Governor Horace Boies, with Bland considered the frontrunner. Mr. Carlisle said in 1878 that this was a struggle between the idle holders of idle capital and the struggling masses who produce the wealth and pay the taxes of the country; and my friends, it is simply a question that we shall decide upon which side shall the Democratic Party fight. 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[90] The only paper to predict, after Bryan gave his speech, that he would not be nominated was The Wall Street Journal, which stated, "Bryan has had his day". "[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". It showed American support for european economic interests in East Africa. It is true. [79] Others took up the standards with the state names on them with each delegation, and planted them by Nebraska's. [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. The policemen were swept away by the flood of delegates, who raised Bryan to their shoulders and carried him around the floor. I had never had such an opportunity before in my life and never expect to have again. He was nominated two more times as the Democratic presidential nominee, but he lost again to McKinley in 1900 and to Republican candidate William H. Taft (1857-1930) in 1908. . "[56], Vilas quickly lost his audience, which did not want to hear Cleveland defended. That is the question which the party must answer first, and then it must be answered by each individual hereafter. The Republican Party made policies that supported big business. Bryan begins. Source 1 Political Cartoon "Swallowed" from Puck Magazine Source 2 Cross of Gold Political Cartoon Source 3 Photograph of a sod house Source 4 Political Cartoon, "The Grange . The financial Panic of 1893 intensified the debates, and when President Grover Cleveland (a Democrat) continued to support the gold standard against the will of much of his party, activists became determined to take over the Democratic Party organization and nominate a silver-supporting candidate in 1896. [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. We go forth confident that we shall win. In the late 1800's a populist movement was happening and people were starting to take notice. Bryan also ran in the years 1900 and 1908 which became failures. Bryan, who remained at his hotel, sent word to the Nebraska delegation to make no deals on his behalf. The next day the convention nominated Bryan for President on the fifth ballot. . The dissidents nominated their own ticket; the split in the vote would contribute to Bryan's defeat. If the gold standard is the standard of civilization, why, my friends, should we not have it? Bryan's 1896 campaign was groundbreaking for more than his oratorical skill. Jones deemed the Democrats likely to nominate a candidate who would appeal to the Populist Party, and Bryan had been elected to Congress with Populist support. [54], Senator David B. Hill of New York, a gold supporter, was next. 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. [4] When silver prices rose relative to gold as a reaction to the California Gold Rush, silver coinage was worth more than face value, and rapidly flowed overseas for melting. For one thing, he began the 1896 convention without any official statusthe Democratic National Committee, which made the initial determination of which delegations would be seated, had chosen the pro-gold Nebraskans to represent their state. Mark Zuckerberg - Zuckerberg in April 2019. It did not become unconstitutional until one judge changed his mind; and we cannot be expected to know when a judge will change his mind. They went away apologetically, not having known Bryan sought the nomination. 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. 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. "[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. 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. Historian Stanley Jones, in his study of the 1896 election, suggests that western Democrats would have opposed Cleveland even if the party had held its congressional majority in 1894; with the disastrous defeat, they believed the party would be wiped out in the West if it did not support silver. It was not in any concerted or open action, however, that Bryan had his strength; it was in the friendly predisposition of the mass of the delegates that he had hopes.[30]. [87], According to the New York World, "Lunacy having dictated the platform, it was perhaps natural that hysteria should evolve the candidate. Other copies or versions of these images might be available elsewhere. 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. 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. 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. 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 . We do not come as aggressors. You come to us and tell us that the great cities are in favor of the gold standard. [Note on the recording: In 1896 recording technology was in its infancy, and recording a political convention would have been impossible. The full text of William Jenning Bryans famous Cross of Gold speech appears below. Mr. McKinley was the most popular man among the Republicans ; and everybody three months ago in the Republican Party prophesied his election. The response, wrote one reporter, came like one great burst of artillery. Men and women screamed and waved their hats and canes. 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. Instructors: CLICK HERE to request a free trial account (only available to college instructors) Primary Source Readers They criticize us for our criticism of the Supreme Court of the United States. Russell's address was inaudible to most of the Coliseum; he was ill and died just over a week later. Accordingly, Bryan became the final speaker on the platform. Governmental response to this shortage was hampered by the fact that officials did not clearly understand what had happened. 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. 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. Nevertheless, large crowds gathered outside the public entrances; the galleries were quickly packed. [20], Bryan had long planned to run for president. Both men had electoral problems: Bland at age 61 was seen by some as a man whose time had passed; Boies was a former Republican who had once decried bimetallism. Conditions have arisen and we are attempting to meet those conditions. 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 individuals. [32], The 1896 Democratic convention opened at the Chicago Coliseum on July 7, 1896. After speeches on the subject by several U.S. From the money plank of the Democratic platform[48], Good luck favored Bryanhe was considered for various convention roles by the silverites, but each time was not selected. 7.5 x 4.75 in. 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. We have petitioned, and our petitions have been scorned. Thus has the contest been waged, and we have assembled here under as binding and solemn instructions as were ever fastened upon the representatives of a people. He then defended the remainder of the platform, though only speaking in general terms. We say in our platform that we believe that the right to coin money and issue money is a function of government. Gold Democrats looked to the President for leadership, but Cleveland, trusting few in his party, did not involve himself further in the gold efforts, but spent the week of the convention fishing off the New Jersey coast. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The speech was given at the Democratic National Convention, so the audience was pledged delegates from the 50 states of the US so that . Introduction. Many Republicans in the western states, dismayed by the strong allegiance of eastern Republicans to the gold standard, considered forming their own party. My friends, we have made no criticism. The temporary chairmanship, for example, would have permitted him to deliver the keynote address. Some of the impoverished died of disease or starvation; others killed themselves.[15]. Once the convention came to order, Arkansas Senator James K. Jones, chair of the Committee on Resolutions, read the proposed platform to cheers by many delegates; the reading of the pro-gold minority report attracted less applause. Mr. McKinley was nominated at St. Louis upon a platform that declared for the maintenance of the gold standard until it should be changed into bimetallism by an international agreement. The issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. All rights reserved. They have tried for thirty yearsthirty yearsto secure an international agreement, and those are waiting for it most patiently who dont want it at all. is not the change evident to anyone who will look at the matter? He always regarded it as the best point he made during the speech, and only the ending caused more reaction from his listeners: We say to you that you have made the definition of a business man too limited in its application. [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. The issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. Why this change? 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. The legislation also established the Mint of the United States. . We do not come as aggressors. The task of relieving the jobless fell to churches and other charities, as well as to labor unions. When this debate is concluded, a motion will be made to lay upon the table the resolution offered in commendation of the administration and also the resolution in condemnation of the administration. Lafayette, CA: d press, 1995. It's a very famous speech and it was powerfully delivered, and was so . This paper presents a formal analysis of political cartoons using methods from classical semiotics, semiotic morphisms, and in particular the study of blends. [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. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: ydelecnormandie.com, +33974562807 Installation et rnovation de rseau lectrique Pont-Audemerr, Lisieux, Le Havre-lectricit btiment,Installation lectrique | SARL YD ELEC NORMANDIE "[92] A farmer in Iowa, in a letter to Bryan, stated, "You are the first big man that i [sic] ever wrote to. The memorable speech was given at the 1896 Democratic National Convention 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. ; D. The Democratic Party understood the economy from the point of view of workers and farmers. [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. It is for these that we speak. 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