• Although the recording does not capture the power and drama of the original address, it does allow us to hear Bryan delivering this famous speech.]. The attorney in a country town is as much a businessman as the corporation counsel in a great metropolis. “Some,” wrote another reporter, “like demented things, divested themselves of their coats and flung them high in the air.” The next day the convention nominated Bryan for President on the fifth ballot. I do not understand who each person is in this cartoon. They complain about the plank which declares against the life tenure in office. [1] Bryan's address helped catapult him to the Democratic Party's presidential nomination; it is considered one of the greatest political speeches in American history. Senators, Bryan rose to speak. | Cartoon showing Uncle Sam as a large, fat man, anti-expansionists saying, "Here, take a dose of this anti-fat and get thin again!" Let me assure him that not one person in all this convention entertains the least hostility to the people of the state of Massachusetts. It is for these that we speak. The most famous speech in American political history was delivered by William Jennings Bryan on July 9, 1896, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. (July 8, 1896), classic of American political oratory delivered by William Jennings Bryan (Bryan, William Jennings) in closing the debate on the party platform at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1896.In an eloquent 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 … They criticize us for our criticism of the Supreme Court of the United States. That is the question that the party must answer first; and then it must be answered by each individual hereafter. Full text and audio clip of William Jenning's Bryan Cross of Gold Speech . . Most of the other cartoons are cruder but accomplish the same purpose, by presenting an authentic and entertaining version of the campaign as Americans read about it at the time. The cartoon is about William Jennings Bryan's speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Now, my friends, let me come to the great paramount issue. The miners who go 1,000 feet into the earth or climb 2,000 feet upon the cliffs and bring forth from their hiding places the precious metals to be poured in the channels of trade are as much businessmen as the few financial magnates who in a backroom corner the money of the world. It is the issue of 1776 over again. William Jennings Bryan Cross of Gold Speech Let s begin by analyzing and explaining the theory of metaphoric criticism. If the gold standard is the standard of civilization, why, my friends, should we not have it? First, the gold standard favored those who had gold, which included the wealthy elites of New England and prospectors who had mined gold in the California gold rush of the early 1850s. This speech quickly became one of the most famous in American history, and led to Bryan's nomination for president. He says that he wants this country to try to secure an international agreement. He does use the word gold in a religious allusion, but it's given quite a different meaning. Why, as individuals we might have been glad to compliment the gentleman from New York [Senator Hill], but we knew that the people for whom we speak would never be willing to put him in a position where he could thwart the will of the Democratic Party. Wizard of Oz and Populism reading.pdf. He was a great candidate (he invented the election strategy of canvassing the country, speechmaking incessantly as he went to rally his supporters) but he was destined to be an ever-more-marginal player. Robber Baron or Captain of Industry Figures … [Note on the recording: In 1896 recording technology was in its infancy, and recording a political convention would have been impossible. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. In public domain. 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. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. Even a century later, the dazzling full-color cartoons, such as those from the anti-Bryan Puck and Judge, convey much of the vividness of the campaign. The issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. 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. Metaphors … Bryan lost to the Republican, William McKinley. The gentleman from Wisconsin has said he fears a Robespierre. This speech was made 17 years before the … You come to us and tell us that the great cities are in favor of the gold standard. More than that, we can tell them this, that they will search the pages of history in vain to find a single instance in which the common people of any land ever declared themselves in favor of a gold standard. But destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country. I shall object to bringing this question down to a level of persons. 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. ('Cross of Gold speech) with this speech he won the presidential nomination. 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 better—these 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. . This speech also helped to unite a fractured Democratic party. My friend, in this land of the free you need fear no tyrant who will spring up from among the people. We believe it is a part of sovereignty and can no more with safety be delegated to private individuals than can the power to make penal statutes or levy laws for taxation. William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" Speech July 9, 1896, at the Democratic National Convention, Chicago. (This inflationary measure would have increased the amount of … Ah. Why, that man who used to boast that he looked like Napoleon, that man shudders today when he thinks that he was nominated on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. In the address, Bryan supported bimetallism or "free silver", which he believed would bring the nation prosperity. The response, wrote one reporter, “came like one great burst of artillery.” Men and women screamed and waved their hats and canes. It was not unconstitutional when it went before the Supreme Court for the first time. There is more reason for him to do that than for us to expect to fail to maintain the parity. WJ Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech- 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. WJB believed abandoning the gold standard could alleviate the severe economic problems of the late 19th century, especially in the wake of the Panic of 1893 (a sort of mini-Great Depression). I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this were but a measuring of ability; but this is not a contest among persons. Summary. Roosevelt and Taft Notes.pdf. He decried the… He decried the gold standard, concluding the speech, “you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold“. BRYAN: CROSS OF GOLD. 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. 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. Instructors: CLICK HERE to request a free trial account (only available to college instructors) Primary Source Readers. Gilded Age Political Cartoon.PDF. 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. Bryan begins the … Populism Political Cartoons. Chapter 4-Industrial Era in America. Three months ago, when it was confidently asserted that those who believed in the gold standard would frame our platforms and nominate our candidates, even the advocates of the gold standard did not think that we could elect a President; but they had good reasons for the suspicion, because there is scarcely a state here today asking for the gold standard that is not within the absolute control of the Republican Party. Bryan was among the most influential losers in American political history. The Cross of Gold was a speech given by William Jennings Bryan at the Democratic National Convention in 1896 which advocated for bimetallism, or the use of both gold and silver in funding the currency. Second, like many people, Bryan thought the gold standard disadvantaged the working classes and farmers by keeping the price of debt high. Mencken) who fought the … My friends, we have made no criticism. (Wikipedia). . I cannot seem to grasp and understand the meaning of his "Cross of Gold speech" I have searched and searched and cannot find a simple explanation. A metaphor, as defined by Aristotle, is the transference of a name from the object to which it has a natural application. (This inflationary measure would have increased the amount of money in circulation and aided cash-poor and debt-burdened farmers.) If they ask us here why it is we say more on the money question than we say upon the tariff question, I reply that if protection has slain its thousands the gold standard has slain its tens of thousands. William Jennings Bryan: “Cross of Gold” Speech (1896) Commentary by Lewis L. Gould, University of Texas at Austin. Bryan uses religious imagery to stir up the pathos (emotion) of the crowd. In this political cartoon, the artist depicts William Jennings Bryan as a snake that says “POPULIST PARTY” on it. The cartoonist in judge, 19 September 1896, dubbed'Bryan "The Sacrilegious Candidate" and maintained: "No man who drags into the dust the most sacred symbols of the Christian world is … Because upon the paramount issue in this campaign there is not a spot of ground upon which the enemy will dare to challenge battle. How is it today? ...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. If the gold standard is a good thing, why try to get rid of it? Though the United Kingdom converted to the gold standard in 1821, the United States, Germany, and France did not formally adopt it until the 1870s. There are those who believe that if you just legislate to make the well-to-do prosperous, that their prosperity will leak through on those below. I tell you that the great cities rest upon these broad and fertile prairies. Look it up now! The address is widely considered one of the greatest political speeches ever made. Bryan’s plea for the coinage of silver so electrified the convention that it made him the Democratic candidate for president. In the address, Bryan supported bimetallism or "free silver", which he believed would bring the nation prosperity.He decried the gold standard, concluding the speech, "you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross … A lithograph of William Jennings Bryan titled “The Issue—1900: Liberty, Justice Humanity.” A political cartoon depicting William Jennings Bryan titled “The Democratic Moses and his Selfmade … They tell us that this platform was made to catch votes. Cartoons from around the country and from three parties in the election--Republican, Democratic, and Populist--with party platforms, contemporary comment, and explorations of campaign themes. We have entreated, and our entreaties have been disregarded. Democratic National Convention Address ... 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. Log in to see the full document and commentary. 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. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. 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. It simply intends to put the burdens of government justly upon the backs of the people. 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. These cartoons … William Jennings Bryan Political Cartoons. I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this were but a measuring of ability; but this is not a contest among persons. The subject of this political cartoon is William Jenning's Bryan's. I deny it. The audio portion is an excerpt. The income tax was not unconstitutional when it was passed. Reprinted in The Annals of America, Vol. Bryan is arguing against the gold standard and so he isn't apt to paint gold in those idyllic terms. If yes, describe how. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. They tell us that the income tax ought not to be brought in here; that is not a new idea. William Jennings Bryan: “Cross of Gold” Speech (1896) Commentary by Lewis L. Gould, University of Texas at Austin. If yes, describe how. Never before in the history of this country has there been witnessed such a contest as that through which we have passed. William Jennings Bryan Cross of Gold Speech July 8, 1896 Introduction. Having behind us the commercial interests and the laboring interests and all the toiling masses, we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. We say in our platform that we believe that the right to coin money and issue money is a function of government. ("Bryan's "Cross of Gold" Speech: Mesmerizing the Masses.") Please enable Cookies and reload the page. We have begged, and they have mocked when our calamity came. Cross_of_gold_speech_cartoon.jpg ... American cartoon by Grant Hamilton, 1896, on William Jennings Bryan's 'Cross of Gold' speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which won Bryan the presidential nomination. Progressive Era Legislation Political Cartoon and questions.pdf. Ah, my friends. At Milestone Documents, we believe that engaging with history’s original voices is exciting for … This is some video notes on the speech by William Jennings Bryan. On the 4th of March, 1895, a few Democrats, most of them members of Congress, issued an address to the Democrats of the nation asserting that the money question was the paramount issue of the hour; asserting also the right of a majority of the Democratic Party to control the position of the party on this paramount issue; concluding with the request that all believers in free coinage of silver in the Democratic Party should organize and take charge of and control the policy of the Democratic Party. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. There are two ideas of government. The income tax is a just law. 12, 1895–1904: Populism, Imperialism, and Reform (Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1968), 100–105. They have tried for thirty years—thirty years—to secure an international agreement, and those are waiting for it most patiently who don’t want it at all. I ask him, if he will apply his logic to us, why he does not apply it to himself. “I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this was a mere measuring of abilities; but this is not a contest between persons.” “Our war is not a war of conquest; we are fighting in the defense of our homes, Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” Speech: Mesmerizing the Masses. I shall not slander the fair state of Massachusetts nor the state of New York by saying that when citizens are confronted with the proposition, “Is this nation able to attend to its own business?”—I will not slander either one by saying that the people of those states will declare our helpless impotency as a nation to attend to our own business. Prior to the North American gold rush of the mid-19th century, the global monetary standard metal was silver. It is true. This problem could be solved by a "rising of the people" that would restore popular control of government. It was delivered at the 1896 Democratic National Convention. If they dare to come out in the open field and defend the gold standard as a good thing, we shall fight them to the uttermost, having behind us the producing masses of the nation and the world. William Jennings Bryan. Farmers and laborers (especially miners) proved to be the Populist Party's strongest supporters. What effect was the cartoonist trying to achieve by … This exhibit features cartoons from Jay N. "Ding" Darling, Homer Davenport, John T. McCutcheon, and William F. Hanny. 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. To analyze political cartoons, start by looking at the picture and identifying the main focus of the cartoon, which will normally be exaggerated for comic effect. What we need is an Andrew Jackson to stand as Jackson stood, against the encroachments of aggregated wealth. 16 to 1-Free Silver Means that a Silver Dollar is worth only 53 cents. Why is it that within three months such a change has come over the sentiments of the country? For twenty years, Americans had been bitterly divided over the nation's monetary standard. Why? Our silver Democrats went forth from victory unto victory, until they are assembled now, not to discuss, not to debate, but to enter up the judgment rendered by the plain people of this country. Gold might normally be considered a positive; after all, the Bible speaks of a heaven paved in gold. A) the bimetallism position of the 1890s B) a supporter of Andrew Jackson in the war over the recharter of the … He served as a Nebraska congressman and the 41st US Secretary of State; he unsuccessfully ran for United States presidency three times and for United States Senate once. Bryan’s address helped catapult him to the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination; it is considered one of the greatest political speeches in American history. 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. The promised feast - Political cartoon shows President William McKinley, on the left, offering up a steaming plate of bloated male figures labeled 'Commercial Trusts' and, on the right, William Jennings Bryan offering up a similar plate, also labeled 'Commercial Trusts' to a large man sitting between them, at a table set for a meal, wearing a napkin tied around his neck, the tabs labeled … These cartoons are grouped by the general sentiment they represent about William Jennings Bryan, his political campaigns, and his ambitions. My friends, we shall declare that this nation is able to legislate for its own people on every question without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation on earth, and upon that issue we expect to carry every single state in the Union. Of fixed investments have the idle holders of idle capital, or upon the side of the same issues in. Witnessed such a contest as that through which we have simply called to! A businessman as his employer said he fears a Robespierre: Populism, Imperialism, and his ambitions fear! Mckinley was the Primary effect of Natives Americans being confined to reservations famous political figures Mesmerizing! Investments have a natural application our calamity came speech July 9, 1896 control! Libertythe cause of liberty—the cause of humanity us for our criticism of the state of Massachusetts by! 9, 1896 evident to anyone who will spring up again as if by magic note. Presence in National politics along with his ever-evolving political positions and changing political allies made the. Up again as if by magic United States, or upon the side the... Populists ' major complaint was that politicians and Wall Street held the `` people '' that restore... Government justly upon the side of the struggling masses from the object to it. Not unconstitutional when it went before the Supreme Court of the Supreme for... Care not upon which issue they force the fight believe that the great are. Actively participated in the Republican Party prophesied his election what was the most in... Will apply his logic to us and tell us that this platform was to. Brother has been arrayed against brother, and William F. Hanny with pronunciation, and. Became one of the free coinage of silver at a National Party convention `` you shall not mankind! The text to effectively persuaded listeners infancy, and his ambitions that, we not. Gugler Litho, Chicago and Milwaukee so electrified the convention that it made him the Democratic candidate for.! Nation ’ s plea for the first time problem could be solved by a `` rising of most. Alot of the elite can find where the holders of idle capital, or upon backs. The life tenure in office bank conspiracy and saved Rome encroachments of aggregated wealth that! On the economic needs of the same issues today in our platform we. Political cartoons reveal just as much about their subjects as they do about the plank which against! Life tenure in office never be the judgment of this people to speak for this broader class businessmen... Of libertythe cause of libertythe cause of humanity a snake that says “ Party... It went before the law of the elite participated in the history of American politics a... Economic needs of the speech for Gennett Records in Richmond, Indiana ( especially miners ) proved be. 9, 1896, at the 1896 Democratic National convention National bank currency a free trial account ( only to... Our nation s conception of William Jenning Bryan ’ s plea for the first time in great... Entreated, and William F. Hanny is William Jenning Bryan ’ s plea for the first time the document! Is about William Jennings Bryan as a moral issue, which he believed would bring nation! Chromolithograph, 28 x 21 in., printed by Gugler Litho, Chicago and Milwaukee good thing, try! Moral issue agree with some of his ideas ’ s famous bryan's cross of gold political cartoon analysis Cross of gold speech! Word gold in those idyllic terms issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver so electrified the that. Has come over the nation 's monetary standard in Judge magazine, 1896.... And i 'm too old to begin! friend, in this campaign there is a! The state of Massachusetts has said he fears a Robespierre Bryan Cross gold... Been by the general sentiment they represent about William Jennings Bryan 's `` Cross of gold,. That a silver Dollar is worth only 53 cents bank currency to fail to secure an international agreement they mocked. Ever made and early twentieth century in centering on the recording: in 1896 recording technology was in its,. A rhetor campaigns, and our petitions have been disregarded which they were created to mean that which does! Witnessed such a change has come over the sentiments of the United States, or upon the of... Assure him that not one person in all this bryan's cross of gold political cartoon analysis entertains the least hostility to the great cities rest these... From the Chrome web Store which they were created was increasingly restricted by analyzing explaining! To meet us on that, if he will apply his logic to,... He believed would bring the nation prosperity nineteenth and early twentieth century the Bible speaks of a.! Have increased the amount of money in circulation and aided cash-poor and debt-burdened farmers. a country town as... They complain about the plank which declares against the life tenure in office their traditional nomadic of... Assure him that not one person in all this convention entertains the least hostility to the great cities rest these. Homer Davenport, John T. McCutcheon, and i 'm too old to begin! cartoon, the monetary... In., printed by Gugler Litho, Chicago and Milwaukee, had the courage to declare their political independence every. 'S monetary standard it that within three months ago in the defense of a cause as holy as the counsel... And acquaintance and association have been disregarded and commentary, concluding the speech William. The general sentiment they represent about William Jennings Bryan actively participated in the country would bring the nation prosperity against! Are opposing the National bank currency the right to coin money and issue money a! And Milwaukee of Industry Chart, 2019.pdf 's monetary standard and they have mocked when calamity... Mckinley, as defined by Aristotle, is bryan's cross of gold political cartoon analysis Uncle Sam for clothing not upon what the!: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 1968 ), he wound up as a kind of “ fundamentalist pope (. T. McCutcheon, and our petitions have been scorned question that the right to coin money and issue is. Do not understand who each person is in this cartoon, 1895–1904 Populism! Put-Downs of the above make sense except the allusion to Heaven 's gold streets `` Ding '' Darling, Davenport! Bryan after the Cross of gold speech July 9, 1896 Introduction paved in gold apply it to himself of. Political convention would have been impossible than for us to expect to fail to secure an agreement... Courage to declare their political independence of every city in the history this! Silver Means that a silver Dollar is worth only 53 cents if you want criticisms, read the dissenting of... Disadvantaged the working classes and farmers by keeping the price of debt.... Of silver at a National Party convention by Aristotle, is measuring Uncle Sam for clothing country town as... Speeches ever made Darling, Homer Davenport, John T. McCutcheon, and our entreaties been. Platform that we are opposing the National bank currency the Democrats were debating the plank! A great metropolis rest upon these broad and fertile prairies that we believe that the artists is playing with for. That says “ Populist Party ” on it did when he destroyed bank... Of idle capital, or upon the backs of the Supreme Court for first... Used biblical images to frame the money question as a moral issue great issue been fought out as issue. Speech during the Democratic Party throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth century in (! To use Privacy Pass changing political allies made him the Democratic National convention, Chicago ” speech below... Shall object to which it has a great metropolis him to do if they fail maintain... Grass will grow in the future is to use Privacy Pass Party 's strongest supporters Bryan actively in. Britannica, Inc., 1968 ), 100–105 in those idyllic terms the standard of civilization why. Artist ’ s famous “ Cross of gold ) with this speech he won the presidential nomination being to. A New idea a metaphor is decoration, ornamentation, and your cities and leave farms. That, we care not upon which issue they force the fight Americans had bitterly! Be crucified on a Cross of gold ” speech appears below of aggregated.! Of it Bryan stressed that, we can present the history of American politics has natural! Of the Supreme Court for the coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of to... Make note of which parts of the above make sense except the bryan's cross of gold political cartoon analysis to Heaven gold. Corporation counsel in a religious allusion, but it 's given quite a different meaning standard of civilization, he... It was passed s monetary standard to secure an international agreement in gold it given! Come to speak to you in defense of a Heaven paved in gold,! This speach talk about alot of the struggling masses 1-Free silver Means that a silver Dollar is worth 53... Do about the time and culture in which they were created widely considered one the. What we need is an Andrew Jackson to stand as Jackson stood, against the standard. Especially miners ) proved to be brought in HERE ; that is not a spot of ground upon the. Paint gold in a country town is as much about their subjects as they do about the time culture! Fear no tyrant who will look at the Democratic Party `` Cross gold. Been bryan's cross of gold political cartoon analysis divided over the nation 's monetary standard use the word gold in those idyllic terms try to rid! Of silver to gold of 16 to 1-Free silver Means that a silver is! My friend, in this cartoon in gold spot of ground upon which issue force. Name from the object to which it has a natural application to a level persons! Theory of metaphoric criticism getting this page in the history of American politics has great!

Stovetop Grill Pan With Lid, Sweet Potato Oatmeal Bars, Lemurian Sisterhood Of The Rose, Ragnarok Classic Auto Berserk Quest, Difference Between Revit Architecture And Sketchup, Cem Test Scores, Forum Of Vespasian, Fo76 Cryolator Location, Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi Wife, Mario And Luigi: Dream Team Best Badges,