LAD#20 - branch "Cross of Gold" Speech

Deliver by William Jennings Bryan on July 9th, 1896 at the Democratic National Convention, the "Cross of Gold" speech addressed the issue of whether to allow free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. The would have helped increased the amount of money in circulation and aided cash-poor and debt-burdened farmers. Bryan tells the Convention he came to speak to them in the "holy" defense of the cause of humanity. The issue of silver coinage rendered brother against brother. The question is not a question of persons; but of principle. That at the convention they stand to represent the people who are equals before the law. He indirectly addresses the big business men and capitalists, saying that they have been too limited in its definition of a business man. "The man who is employed for wages is as much a businessman as his employer." Bryan assures them that he does not come as an aggressor and that it is not a war of conquest. He relates that what the nation needs is an Andrew Jackson to stand against the encroachment of aggregated wealth. It is blantantly stated that Bryan is in favor of an income tax. Many who oppose the silver standard are in favor of a gold standard, and generally come from large cities. Yet Bryan reminds them that it is their cities and their gold which relies on the backs of the farms in the prairies who desperately need the silver coinage. In destroying the plains one is destroying the cities. He passively threatens them ending his speech statings, "You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."