Cross of Gold speech: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|1896 speech by William Jennings Bryan}}

{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}

| description = Also attributed to an 1892 speech by President [[Grover Cleveland]]<br/>Recorded July 1896 (if authentic)

}}

 

 

For twenty years, Americans had been bitterly divided over the nation's [[monetary standard]]. 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. Many Americans, however, believed that bimetallism (making both gold and silver [[legal tender]]) was necessary for the nation's economic health. 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.

 

== Background ==

=== Monetary standards and the United States ===

In January 1791, at the request of Congress, [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]] [[Alexander Hamilton]] issued a report on the currency. At the time, there was no mint in the United States; foreign coins were used. 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. Although Hamilton understood that adjustment might be needed from time to time as precious metal prices fluctuated, he believed that if the nation's unit of value were defined only by one of the two precious metals used for coins, the other would descend to the status of mere merchandise, unusable as a store of value. He also proposed the establishment of a [[mint (coin)|mint]], at which citizens could present gold or silver, and receive it back, struck into money.{{sfn|Taxay|pp=48–49}} On April 2, 1792, Congress passed the [[Mint Act of 1792]]. This legislation defined a unit of value for the new nation, to be known as a [[United States dollar|dollar]]. The new unit of currency was defined to be equal to {{convert|24.75|gr}} of gold, or alternatively, {{convert|371.25|gr}} of silver, establishing a ratio of value between gold and silver of 15:1. The legislation also established the [[United States Mint|Mint of the United States]].{{sfn|Coin World Almanac|p=455}}

 

 

=== Early attempts toward free silver ===

[[File:Richard P. Bland - Brady-Handy.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Representative [[Richard P. Bland]]]]

 

 

=== Bryan seeks the nomination ===

{{for|additional detail on the political career of William Jennings Bryan before and during the 1896 campaign|William Jennings Bryan presidential campaign, 1896}}

 

Among those who spoke against the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act was [[Nebraska]] Representative [[William Jennings Bryan]]. Known as an orator even then ("the Boy Orator of the [[Platte River|Platte]]"), 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.{{sfn|Cherny|pp=52–53}} 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.{{sfn|Kazin|pp=38–40}} In his conclusion, Bryan reached back in history:

 

 

Despite the repeal of the act, economic conditions failed to improve. The year 1894 saw considerable labor unrest. President Cleveland sent federal troops to [[Illinois]] to end the [[Pullman Strike]]—workers at the [[Pullman Palace Car Company]], which made railroad cars, had struck after wages were cut. Railway employees had refused to handle Pullman cars in sympathy with the strikers; this action threatened to paralyze the nation's rail lines. The President's move was opposed by the Democratic [[Governor of Illinois]], [[John Altgeld]]. Angered by Cleveland's actions in the labor dispute, and by his uncompromising stand against silver, Altgeld began to organize Democrats against Cleveland's renomination in 1896. Although Altgeld and his adherents urged voters to distinguish between Cleveland and his party, the Democrats lost 113 seats in the House in the 1894 [[midterm election]]s, the greatest loss by a majority party in congressional history. The Republicans gained control of the House, as well as the Senate, which until 1913 was elected by the state legislatures rather than by the popular vote.{{sfn|Williams|pp=41–45}} Among those defeated for Senate was Bryan in Nebraska.{{sfn|Kazin|pp=41–43}}

Historian James A. Barnes, in his historical journal article pointing out myths that have arisen about Bryan's candidacy and campaign, stated that Bryan's efforts bore fruit even before the convention:

 

 

=== Selection of delegates ===

The [[1896 Democratic National Convention]] followed events unique in post-Civil War American history. One after another, state conventions to elect delegates to the national convention in Chicago repudiated an incumbent elected president of their party, who had not declared whether he would be a candidate for renomination. According to Barnes:

 

 

Many state conventions elected delegates pledged to support bimetallism in the party platform. [[Bourbon Democrats|Gold Democrats]] were successful in a few states in the Northeast, but had little luck elsewhere. Speakers in some states cursed Cleveland; the [[South Carolina]] convention denounced him. Cleveland issued a statement urging Democratic voters to support gold—the next convention to be held, in Illinois, unanimously supported silver; the keynote speaker prayed for divine forgiveness for Cleveland's 1892 nomination. Gold and silver factions in some states, such as Bryan's Nebraska, sent rival delegations to the convention.{{sfn|Williams|pp=72–74}}

 

=== Silver advocates take control ===

Although Bryan had decided on a strategy to gain the nomination—to give a speech which would make him the logical candidate in the eyes of delegates—he faced obstacles along the way. For one thing, he began the 1896 convention without any official status—the Democratic National Committee, which made the initial determination of which delegations would be seated, had chosen the pro-gold Nebraskans to represent their state.{{sfn|Cherny|p=56}} Bryan had been waiting outside the committee room when his rivals were seated by a 27–23 vote; contemporary accounts state he was "somewhat surprised" at the result.{{sfn|Bensel|p=57}} The DNC's action could be reversed, but not until the convention's credentials committee reported.{{sfn|Cherny|p=59}} However, Barnes deemed the actions by the committee immaterial to the outcome due to the silver strength in the convention:

 

 

{{quote box | align = right | width = 24em | quoted = true | salign = right

| quote = We demand the free and unlimited coinage of both silver and gold at the present legal ratio of 16 to 1 without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation. We demand that the standard silver dollar shall be a full legal tender, equally with gold, for all debts, public and private, and we favor such legislation as will prevent for the future the demonitization of any kind of legal tender by private contract.

 

Good luck favored Bryan—he was considered for various convention roles by the silverites, but each time was not selected. The temporary chairmanship, for example, would have permitted him to deliver the [[keynote address]]. However, Bryan, lacking a seat at the start of the convention, could not be elected temporary chairman. Bryan considered this no loss at all; the focus of the convention was on the party platform and the debate which would precede its adoption. 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. Bryan, once seated, was Nebraska's representative to the Committee on Resolutions (generally called the "platform committee"), which allocated 80&nbsp;minutes to each side in the debate and selected Bryan as one of the speakers. [[South Carolina]] Senator [[Benjamin Tillman]] was to be the other pro-silver speaker, and originally wished to close the debate. 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. Accordingly, Bryan became the final speaker on the platform.{{sfn|Williams|pp=80–81}}{{sfn|Bensel|pp=206–209}}

Bryan began softly,

 

 

Bryan's opening claimed no personal prestige for himself—but nevertheless placed him as the spokesman for silver.{{sfn|Bensel|pp=224–225}} According to Bensel, the self-deprecation helped disarm the delegates. 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.{{sfn|Bensel|pp=237–238}} Bryan then recounted the history of the silver movement; the audience, which had loudly demonstrated its approval of his opening statements, quieted.{{sfn|Bensel|pp=224–225}} Throughout the speech, Bryan had the delegates in the palm of his hand; they cheered on cue. The Nebraskan later described the audience as like a trained choir.{{sfn|Jones|p=227}} 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".{{sfn|Williams|p=84}}

Bryan continued with language evoking the Civil War, telling his audience that "in this contest brother has been arrayed against brother, father against son."{{sfn|Harpine|p=49}} By then, as he spoke in a sincere tone, his voice sounded clearly and loudly through the hall.{{sfn|Kazin|p=60}} He denied, however that the contest was personal; he bore no ill-will towards those who supported the gold standard. However, he stated, facing towards the gold delegates, "when you come before us and tell us that we are about to disturb your business interests, we reply that you have disturbed our business interests by your course."{{sfn|Coletta|p=138}} The gold men, during the address, paid close attention and showed their appreciation for Bryan's oratory.{{sfn|Bensel|p=223}} 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. Although his statements nominally responded to a point made by Russell, Bryan had thought of the argument the previous evening, and had not used it in earlier speeches. He always regarded it as the best point he made during the speech, and only the ending caused more reaction from his listeners:

 

 

Through this passage, Bryan maintained the contrast between the common man and the city-dwelling elite. 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. His sympathetic comparison contrasted the hardworking farmer with the city businessman, whom Bryan cast as a gambler. The galleries were filled with white as spectators waved handkerchiefs, and it was several minutes before he could continue.{{sfn|Williams|pp=84–85}} 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.{{sfn|Bensel|p=233}} When Bryan resumed, his comparison of miner with miser again electrified the audience; the uproar prevented him from continuing for several minutes. 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. 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! My God! My God!"{{sfn|Jones|p=228}}{{sfn|Williams|pp=84–85}}{{sfn|Coletta|p=139}}

Bryan, having established the right of silver supporters to petition, explained why that petition was not to be denied:

 

 

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. He then defended the remainder of the platform, though only speaking in general terms. He mocked McKinley, said by some to resemble [[Napoleon]], noting that he was nominated on the anniversary of the [[Battle of Waterloo]].{{sfn|Harpine|pp=51–52}} The lengthy passage as he discussed the platform and the Republicans helped calm the audience, ensuring he would be heard as he reached his [[peroration]]. But Bryan first wished to tie the silver question to a greater cause:{{sfn|Cherny|p=59}}{{sfn|Bensel|pp=230–232}}

 

 

He faced in the direction of the gold-dominated state delegations:

 

 

This statement attracted great cheering, and Bryan turned to rhetorically demolish the compromise position on bimetallism—that it should only be accomplished through international agreement:

 

 

Now, Bryan was ready to conclude the speech, and according to his biographer, Michael Kazin, step "into the headlines of American history".{{sfn|Kazin|p=61}}

 

 

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. He then lowered them, descended from the podium, and began to head back to his seat as the stillness held.{{sfn|Kazin|p=61}}

 

== Reception and nomination ==

=== Convention events ===

Bryan later described the silence as "really painful" and momentarily thought he had failed.{{sfn|Williams|p=86}} As he moved towards his seat, the Coliseum burst into pandemonium. Delegates threw hats, coats, and handkerchiefs into the air.{{sfn|Williams|p=86}} Others took up the standards with the state names on them with each delegation, and planted them by Nebraska's.{{sfn|Jones|p=229}} Two alert police officers had joined Bryan as he left the podium, anticipating the crush. The policemen were swept away by the flood of delegates, who raised Bryan to their shoulders and carried him around the floor. ''[[The Washington Post]]'' newspaper recorded, "bedlam broke loose, delirium reigned supreme."{{sfn|Bensel|pp=232–234}}

 

 

=== Press reaction ===

[[File:Cross of gold speech cartoon.jpg|thumb|upright|''Judge'' magazine criticized Bryan for sacrilege in his speech. He is shown with crown and cross, but trampling the Bible.]]

 

 

=== Anti-Semitism controversy ===

 

== Campaign and aftermath ==

{{main|William Jennings Bryan presidential campaign, 1896#General election campaign}}

 

 

== Legacy ==

 

Bryan's speech is considered one of the most powerful political addresses in American history.{{sfn|Harpine|p=1}} Stanley Jones, however, suggested that even if Bryan had never delivered it, he would still have been nominated. Jones deemed the Democrats likely to nominate a candidate who would appeal to the Populist Party, and Bryan had been elected to Congress with Populist support.{{sfn|Jones|p=239}} 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."{{sfn|Harpine|p=49}} 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".{{sfn|Harpine|p=55}} 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.{{sfn|Woods|pp=9–10}}{{sfn|Jones|p=346}}

 

Bensel ties the delegates' response to Bryan's address to their uncertainty in their own beliefs:

 

 

== References ==

{{reflist|20em}}

 

=== References cited ===

* {{cite journal

| doi = 10.2307/1898096

 

== External links ==

 

[[Category:1890s speeches]]

[[Category:1896 works]]

[[Category:Economic history of the United States]]

[[Category:Gold standard]]

[[Category:Metallism]]

[[Category:Monetary policy]]

[[Category:People's Party (United States)]]

[[Category:Political history of the United States]]

[[Category:Progressive Era in the United States]]

[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]

[[Category:William Jennings Bryan]]