[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. W.J. The individual is but an atom; he is born, he acts, he dies; but principles are eternal; and this has been a contest of principle. 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. His speeches impressed many; even some of his opponents later conceded that Bryan was the most compelling speaker they had ever heard. [35] Well aware of the overwhelming forces against them, many gold delegates were inclined to concede the platform battle. Bryan made a speech called "Cross of Gold", which had a strong reaction with the audience and included religious imagery. Many Americans, however, believed that bimetallism (making both gold and silver legal tender) was necessary for the nation's economic health. 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. Unfortunately, no recordings exist of his original speech. Accordingly, Bryan became the final speaker on the platform. Delegates threw hats, coats, and handkerchiefs into the air. 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. [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. . South Carolina Senator Benjamin Tillman was to be the other pro-silver speaker, and originally wished to close the debate. Image No. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. They criticize us for our criticism of the Supreme Court of the United States. The money went for speakers, pamphlets, and other means of conveying their "sound money" campaign to the voter. Source: Official Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention Held in Chicago, Illinois, July 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 1896, (Logansport, Indiana, 1896), 226234. The Republican Party platform for the election, formulated at its convention in St. Louis in June, declared, We are unalterably opposed to every measure calculated to debase our currency. When the Democrats gathered a few weeks later, their platform called for the free and unlimited coinage of both silver and gold. In an eloquent plea for the coinage of silver and an attack on the thesis that gold was the only sound backing for currency, Bryan closed with the peroration, you shall not press down on the brow of labor this crown of thorns. Never before in the history of this country has there been witnessed such a contest as that through which we have passed. According to Jones, it was clear that Bland could not win, and that Bryan could not be stopped. [87] The pro-silver Cleveland Plain Dealer called Bryan's speech "an eloquent, stirring, and manly appeal". There are those who believe that, if you will only legislate to make the well-to-do prosperous, their prosperity will leak through on those below. Consciousness of grievances of years and not of months was reflected in the decisive action of the state Democratic conventions in the spring and early summer of 1896. 12, 18951904: Populism, Imperialism, and Reform (Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1968), 100105. President Cleveland sent federal troops to Illinois to end the Pullman strikeworkers at the Pullman Palace Car Company, which made railroad cars, had struck after wages were cut. [38] On the evening of July 5, Bryan was visited by a delegation of Coloradans, seeking his support for Senator Teller. 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 . Both of these movements helped to create the People's Party, or the Populist Party, which officially established its party platform in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 4, 1892. Bryan, who remained at his hotel, sent word to the Nebraska delegation to make no deals on his behalf. But we stand here representing people who are the equals before the law of the largest cities in the state of Massachusetts. 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. That is the question which the party must answer first, and then it must be answered by each individual hereafter. 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. He was known for his deeply held religious beliefs and his popular touch, which earned him the moniker "the Great Commoner." Trained as a lawyer, Bryan represented the state of Nebraska in the United States Congress, 1891-95. The gentleman from Wisconsin has said he fears a Robespierre. For these images we dont claim any copyright or other intellectual property rights and neither do our contributors, we just provide you with access to a high resolution copy to use in line with the terms of the license you buy. 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. On the fifth ballot, the Illinois delegation, led by Governor Altgeld, switched its votes from Bland to Bryan. 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. 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. Bryan had a distinguished and active political career, supporting workers' rights and women's suffrage while opposing monopolies and teaching evolution in schools. Other delegations, seeing that Bryan would be nominated, also switched, securing the victory. Of these, only Senator Blackburn, a silver supporter, sparked much reaction, and that only momentary. [13], The effects of the depression which began in 1893, and which continued through 1896, ruined many Americans. My friends, we have made no criticism. [8] During the economic chaos of the Panic of 1873, the price of silver dropped significantly, but the Mint would accept none for striking into legal tender. Known as an orator even then, Bryan had not always favored free silver out of conviction, stating in 1892 that he was for it because the people of Nebraska were for it. The Cross of Gold speech was delivered by William Jennings Bryan, a former United States Representative from Nebraska, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9, 1896. [18], Despite the repeal of the act, economic conditions failed to improve. Both men spoke to hundreds of thousands of people from their chosen venues. [66][70], Through this passage, Bryan maintained the contrast between the common man and the city-dwelling elite. [88] The St. Louis Post-Dispatch opined that with the speech, Bryan "just about immortalized himself". 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. Bryan continued with language evoking the Civil War, telling his audience that "in this contest brother has been arrayed against brother, father against son. I tell you that the great cities rest upon these broad and fertile prairies. The issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. 2023 The Granger Collection LTD d/b/a GRANGER - Historical Picture Archive. Silver producers complained, and many Americans came to believe that only through bimetallism could the nation achieve and maintain prosperity. [95] However, Bryan did gain the support of the Populists, as well as a convention of Silver Republicans. These statements may involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity and performance to be materially different from the expectations and projections of Globex. German-born political cartoonist Thomas Nast gave America some of its most enduring symbols: the Republican elephant, the Democratic donkey, and Uncle Sam. 19. The "Cross Of Gold" speech was a speech by William which helped propel the convention to nominate him as a Democratic presidential candidate. There was loud cheering as Bryan stood there, waiting for his audience to calm. 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. Bryan's speeches evolved over time; in December 1894, in a speech in Congress, he first used a phrase from which would come the conclusion to his most famous address: as originally stated, it was "I will not help to crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. [79] He soon retired from the convention, returning to his hotel to await the outcome. bimetallism), which he believed would bring the nation prosperity. William Jennings Bryan, gifted orator and three-time presidential candidate was born on March 19, 1860, in Salem, Illinois. In his address, Bryan supported "free silver" (i.e. The Akron Journal and Republican, no friend to Bryan, opined that "never probably has a national convention been swayed or influenced by a single speech as was the national Democratic convention". When I find a man who is not willing to pay his share of the burden of the government which protects him, I find a man who is unworthy to enjoy the blessings of a government like ours. 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. [59] As he concluded his historical recitation, he reminded the silver delegates that they had come to crown their victory, "not to discuss, not to debate, but to enter up the judgment already rendered by the plain people of this country".[66]. He then lowered them, descended from the podium, and began to head back to his seat as the stillness held. This teaching guide helps instructors use a specific primary source set, Patronage and Populism: The Politics of the Gilded Age, in the classroom. Pursuant to this promise, government gold reserves dwindled over the following three years. Never before in the history of American politics has a great issue been fought out as this issue has been by the voters themselves. [49][50], Delegates, as they waited for the committees to complete their work, spent much of the first two days listening to various orators. [96] Bryan spoke on silver throughout the campaign; he rarely addressed other issues. There were a large number of potential candidates seen as having less support; these included Vice President Adlai Stevenson of Illinois, Senator Joseph C. Blackburn of Kentucky, Senator Teller, and Bryan.[43]. Pamphlet. Other copies or versions of these images might be available elsewhere. "[80], It took about 25minutes to restore order, and according to Bensel, "somewhere in the mass demonstration that was convulsing the convention hall, the transfer of sentiment from silver as a policy to Bryan as a presidential candidate took place". ; B. (The cartoon appeared in the post-dated July 7 issue of Harper's Weekly, published in late June.) They are also most often funny. 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 [99], Bryan's speech is considered one of the most powerful political addresses in American history. A third attempt in early 1878 again passed the House, and eventually both houses after being amended in the Senate. 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! 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? Let me assure him that not one person in all this convention entertains the least hostility to the people of the state of Massachusetts. Ah. Will it choose blessings or cursingslife or deathwhich? W.J. Content can enter the public domain when copyright has expired, has been forfeited or is not applicable. [87], According to the New York World, "Lunacy having dictated the platform, it was perhaps natural that hysteria should evolve the candidate. Some people, for the most part Democrats, joined the far-left Populist Party. We do not come as aggressors. "[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". Conclusion: -main message of Latuff's cartoon process . We come to speak of this broader class of business men. On the night of July 8, William Jennings Bryan revealed himself as the candidate the silverites were looking for by delivering one of the most famous speeches in American history. 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. 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. [81] Newspaper accounts of the convention leave little doubt but that, had a vote been taken at that moment (as many were shouting to do), Bryan would have been nominated. [10], Implementation of the BlandAllison Act did not end calls for free silver. It made no secret of these preparations. 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. The speech was given at the Democratic National Convention, so the audience was pledged delegates from the 50 states of the US so that . 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. It also repealed the statutory provisions allowing silver bullion to be presented to the Mint and returned in the form of circulating money. They called for the return to pre-1873 laws, which would require the Mint to take all the silver offered it and return it, struck into silver dollars. The humblest citizen in all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause is stronger than all the whole hosts of error that they can bring. It's a very famous speech and it was powerfully delivered, and was so . 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. Mr. McKinley was the most popular man among the Republicans ; and everybody three months ago in the Republican Party prophesied his election. 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. But in this contest, brother has been arrayed against brother, and father against son. Senators, Bryan rose to speak. He would subsequently win the Democratic nomination for president in 1900 and again . He says that he wants this country to try to secure an international agreement. They tell us that the income tax ought not to be brought in here; that is not a new idea. If you want criticisms, read the dissenting opinions of the Court. [79] As he moved towards his seat, the Coliseum burst into pandemonium. The Nebraskan later described the audience as like a trained choir. 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. Here is the line of battle. 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]. His subsequent canvass [campaign] for the United States senatorship in Nebraska was noteworthy and conspicuous on many accounts. Cross of Gold speech, classic of American political oratory delivered on July 8, 1896, by William Jennings Bryan in closing the debate on the party platform at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago during the campaign for the presidential election of 1896. Bryan traveled 18,000 miles by train to give over 600 speeches (36 in one day) to about five million people. There are two ideas of government. "[1], As Bryan spoke his final sentence, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus, he placed his hands to his temples, fingers extended; with the final words, he extended his arms to his sides straight out to his body and held that pose for about five seconds as if offering himself as sacrifice for the cause, as the audience watched in dead silence. [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. They could only beg them to spare the party the humiliation of broken traditions and the overthrowing of established control. [72] When Bryan resumed, his comparison of miner with miser again electrified the audience; the uproar prevented him from continuing for several minutes. Mr. McKinley was nominated at St. Louis upon a platform which declared for the maintenance of the gold standard until it can be changed into bimetallism by international agreement. Cleveland issued a statement urging Democratic voters to support goldthe next convention to be held, in Illinois, unanimously supported silver; the keynote speaker prayed for divine forgiveness for Cleveland's 1892 nomination. 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. 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. We say in our platform that we believe that the right to coin money and issue money is a function of government. At the. The income tax is a just law. The dissidents nominated their own ticket; the split in the vote would contribute to Bryan's defeat. That is the question that the party must answer first; and then it must be answered by each individual hereafter. Bryan later wrote, "This was another unexpected bit of good fortune. Corrections? Hamilton proposed a monetary system based on bimetallism, in which the new currency would be equal to a given amount of gold, or a larger amount of silver; at the time a given weight of gold was worth about 15 times as much as the same amount of silver. [74], With this call to action, Bryan abandoned any hint at compromise, and adopted the techniques of the radical, polarizing orator, finding no common ground between silver and gold forces. 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 . What we oppose in that plank is the life tenure that is being built up in Washington which establishes an office-holding class and excludes from participation in the benefits the humbler members of our society. [1], Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests, and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. The silver campaign of 1896 was a big controversy among the people. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [32], The 1896 Democratic convention opened at the Chicago Coliseum on July 7, 1896. [98] The Democratic candidate failed to gain a majority of the labor vote; McKinley won in working-class areas as well as wealthy precincts. This paper presents a formal analysis of political cartoons using methods from classical semiotics, semiotic morphisms, and in particular the study of blends. 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