[66][70], Through this passage, Bryan maintained the contrast between the common man and the city-dwelling elite. 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. It is the issue of 1776 over again. However, the senator wanted 50 minutes to speak, too long for a closing address, and at Bryan's request agreed to open the debate instead. [31], Many state conventions elected delegates pledged to support bimetallism in the party platform. Both men spoke to hundreds of thousands of people from their chosen venues. [10], Implementation of the BlandAllison Act did not end calls for free silver. Instructors: CLICK HERE to request a free trial account (only available to college instructors) Primary Source Readers [64] According to Bensel, the self-deprecation helped disarm the delegates. It showed American support for european economic interests in East Africa. The next day the convention nominated Bryan for President on the fifth ballot. 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. 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. At 36 years old, with two terms in Congress and a failed 1894 run for Senate under his belt, Bryan was the party's most outspoken and effective champion of silver. [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. Despite vocal opposition led by Tennessee Representative (and future president) Andrew Johnson, the precious metal content of smaller silver coins was reduced in 1853. [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. [71] The police in the convention hall, not sharing the enthusiasm for silver, were described by the press (some of whose members were caught up in the frenzy) as standing as if they thought the audience was about to turn on them. I tell you that the great cities rest upon these broad and fertile prairies. "[89] The New York Times disparaged Bryan as "the gifted blatherskite from Nebraska". [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. Why is it that within three months such a change has come over the sentiments of the country? He favored the monetary policy . But destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. South Carolina Senator Benjamin Tillman was to be the other pro-silver speaker, and originally wished to close the debate. [49][50], Delegates, as they waited for the committees to complete their work, spent much of the first two days listening to various orators. Bryan's 1896 campaign was groundbreaking for more than his oratorical skill. His dramatic speaking style and rhetoric roused the crowd to a frenzy. [82] The convention passed the platform in Bryan's absence and recessed. bimetallism), which he believed would bring the nation prosperity. Pro-silver forces, with congressional leaders such as Missouri Representative Richard P. Bland, sought the passage of bills to allow depositors of silver bullion to receive it back in the form of coin. During the convention, he. 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. We come to speak for this broader class of businessmen. We say to you that you have made too limited in its application the definition of a businessman. He faced in the direction of the gold-dominated state delegations: There are two ideas of government. It simply intends to put the burdens of government justly upon the backs of the people. 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. Of these, only Senator Blackburn, a silver supporter, sparked much reaction, and that only momentary. [37] He arrived convinced that he would win the nomination. Bryan continued with language evoking the Civil War, telling his audience that "in this contest brother has been arrayed against brother, father against son. 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. This speech, delivered at the Democratic National Convention, helped win the Bryan, former Representative to Congress for Nebraska, the presidential nomination of the Democratic party. 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. W.J. 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. At the time, Bryan was a former member of Congress from Nebraska who had been working tirelessly to build support for his candidacy. [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 temporary chairmanship, for example, would have permitted him to deliver the keynote address. His subsequent canvass [campaign] for the United States senatorship in Nebraska was noteworthy and conspicuous on many accounts. He would subsequently win the Democratic nomination for president in 1900 and again . He stood second out of fourteen candidates in the first ballot, behind Bland. Content can enter the public domain when copyright has expired, has been forfeited or is not applicable. 0063664 Add to Lightbox File Size: 2506 x 3240 px @300dpi Image Source Credit: GRANGER. 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. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. [54], Senator David B. Hill of New York, a gold supporter, was next. 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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. He cared about politics and his religion equally. That is the question which the party must answer first, and then it must be answered by each individual hereafter. 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. He sent letters to national convention delegates, urging them to support silver, and enclosing copies of his photograph, writings, and speeches. Bryan, who remained at his hotel, sent word to the Nebraska delegation to make no deals on his behalf. [3], In the early 19th century, the economic disruption caused by the Napoleonic Wars caused United States gold coins to be worth more as bullion than as money, and they vanished from circulation. Pursuant to this promise, government gold reserves dwindled over the following three years. [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. doubt, because there is scarcely a State here today asking for the gold standard which is not in the absolute control of the Republican party. [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. As yet, no one at the convention had effectively spoken for that cause, which was paramount to the delegates. [1], Bryan later described the silence as "really painful" and momentarily thought he had failed. . 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? This exhibit features cartoons from Jay N. "Ding" Darling, Homer C . 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. "[56], As Russell concluded, to strong applause from gold delegates,[57] there was a buzz of anticipation as Bryan ascended to the podium. [101] According to rhetorical historian William Harpine in his study of the rhetoric of the 1896 campaign, "Bryan's speech cast a net for the true believers, but only for the true believers. Standing upon this victory-crowned summit, will it turn its face to the rising or the setting sun? 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. 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. 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. 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]. No, my friends, it will never be the judgment of this people. "[56], Vilas quickly lost his audience, which did not want to hear Cleveland defended. All rights reserved. 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. How is it today? Congress did so, but the debates showed bitter divides in both major parties between silver and gold factions. time before some commentator alludes to William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech at the 1896 Democratic convention as the leading example of an orator's ability to sway listeners. [4] In 1830, Treasury Secretary Samuel D. Ingham proposed adjusting the ratio between gold and silver in US currency to 15.8:1, which had for some time been the ratio in Europe. The issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. [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. [63], I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this were a mere measuring of abilities; but this is not a contest between persons. Bryan made a speech called "Cross of Gold", which had a strong reaction with the audience and included religious imagery. At Bryan's words, he threw his hat into the air, slapped the empty seat in front of him with his coat, and shouted, "My God! [9], To advocates of what became known as free silver, the 1873 act became known as the "Crime of '73". [20], Bryan had long planned to run for president. Governmental response to this shortage was hampered by the fact that officials did not clearly understand what had happened. 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 . [87] The pro-silver Cleveland Plain Dealer called Bryan's speech "an eloquent, stirring, and manly appeal". Welcome to a series on William Jennings Bryan's famous 1896 Cross of Gold speech. The dissidents nominated their own ticket; the split in the vote would contribute to Bryan's defeat. The silver men were thus in the hunt for a charismatic leader who would underpin what they already desperately wanted to believe. 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. My God! These were the only two candidates to put together organizations to try to secure delegate votes, though both efforts were cash-starved. 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. Great cities rest upon these broad and fertile prairies silver supporter, sparked much reaction, and manly appeal.! Which did not end calls for free silver style and rhetoric roused crowd., behind Bland to you that you have made too limited in its application the of! 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