LITERARY GENIUS

One of the most famous speeches in American history took place at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9, 1896. It was given by the highly skilled orator William Jennings Bryan, who advocated a federal policy of “bimetallism,” whereby the amount of money in circulation would be measured not only by the amount of gold in federal reserves, but also by the amount of silver. This was an attempt to increase the money supply to provide relief to financially imperiled farmers, whose crops were selling at thirty year lows following a three-year long depression.
               Bryan’s policy was not popular with party leaders, who were mostly from east-coast manufacturing states, but they nonetheless allowed him to speak at the convention. He was scheduled to speak at 10 o’clock at night, after nearly 12 straight hours of continuous speeches. Due to delays, he did not begin until after midnight; however, his speech was unexpectedly rousing, and the famous concluding words earned him an ovation that lasted for nearly an hour.


EXCERPTS FROM THE CROSS OF GOLD SPEECH
William Jennings Bryan

I WOULD BE PRESUMPTUOUS, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentleman* to whom you have listened if this were a mere measuring of abilities, but this is not a contest between persons. The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of liberty—the cause of humanity.
               When this debate is concluded, a motion will be made to lay upon the table the resolution offered in commendation of the Administration…We object to bringing this question down to the level of persons. The individual is but an atom; he is born, he acts, he dies; but principles are eternal; and this has been a contest over a principle.
               Never before in the history of this country has there been witnessed such a contest as that through which we have just passed. Never before in the history of American politics has a great issue been fought out as this issue has been, by the voters of a great party…
               Then began the conflict. With a zeal approaching the zeal which inspired the Crusaders…our silver Democrats went forth from victory unto victory until they are now assembled, not to discuss, not to debate, but to enter up the judgment already rendered by the plain people of this country. In this contest brother has been arrayed against brother, father against son. The warmest ties of love, acquaintance, and association have been disregarded; old leaders have been cast aside when they have refused to give expression to the sentiments of those whom they would lead, and new leaders have sprung up to give direction to this cause of truth. Thus has the contest been waged, and we have assembled here under as binding and solemn instructions as were ever imposed upon representatives of the people…
               We say to you that you [gold delegates] have made the definition of a business man too limited in its application. The man who is employed for wages is as much a business man as his employer; the attorney in a country town is as much a business man as the corporation counsel in a great metropolis; the merchant at the crossroads store is as much a business man as the merchant of New York; the farmer who goes forth in the morning and toils all day, who begins in spring and toils all summer, and who by the application of brain and muscle to the natural resources of the country creates wealth, is as much a business man as the man who goes upon the Board of Trade and bets upon the price of grain; the miners who go down a thousand feet into the earth, or climb two thousand feet upon the cliffs, and bring forth from their hiding places the precious metals to be poured into the channels of trade are as much businessmen as the few financial magnates who, in a back room, corner the money of the world. We come to speak of this broader class of business men.