bryan's cross of gold political cartoon analysisbryan's cross of gold political cartoon analysis

The income tax was not unconstitutional when it was passed. (The cartoon appeared in the post-dated July 7 issue of Harper's Weekly, published in late June.) 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. They have tried for thirty yearsthirty yearsto secure an international agreement, and those are waiting for it most patiently who dont want it at all. [44] Bryan had been waiting outside the committee room when his rivals were seated by a 2723 vote; contemporary accounts state he was "somewhat surprised" at the result. 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. Bryan, having established the right of silver supporters to petition, explained why that petition was not to be denied: It is for these that we speak. [101] 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. William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" oration was primarily an expression of his (A) fundamentalist religious beliefs (B) neutral stance toward the belligerents of the First World War (C) advocacy of free and unlimited coinage of silver (D) opposition to teaching the theory of evolution in public schools (E) anti-imperialist convictions But in this contest, brother has been arrayed against brother, and father against son. 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. Senators, Bryan rose to speak. Pamphlet. Bryan traveled 18,000 miles by train to give over 600 speeches (36 in one day) to about five million people. The Nebraskan later described the audience as like a trained choir. We say to you that you have made too limited in its application the definition of a businessman. Bryan continued with language evoking the Civil War, telling his audience that "in this contest brother has been arrayed against brother, father against son. 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. Standing upon this victory-crowned summit, will it turn its face to the rising or the setting sun? But we stand here representing people who are the equals before the law of the largest cities in the state of Massachusetts. The BlandAllison Act was vetoed by President Rutherford B. Hayes, but was enacted by Congress over his veto on February 28, 1878. Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic; but destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country.[76]. The sympathies of the Democratic Party, as shown by the platform, are on the side of the struggling masses, who have ever been the foundation of the Democratic Party.[77]. With far less money than McKinley, Bryan embarked on a nationwide campaign tour by train on a then-unprecedented scale. He mocked McKinley, said by some to resemble Napoleon, noting that he was nominated on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. In January 1791, at the request of Congress, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton issued a report on the currency. It made no secret of these preparations. Other delegations, seeing that Bryan would be nominated, also switched, securing the victory. [Note on the recording: In 1896 recording technology was in its infancy, and recording a political convention would have been impossible. The silver campaign of 1896 was a big controversy among the people. The Cross of Gold speechwas delivered by William Jennings Bryan, a former United States Representativefrom Nebraska, at the Democratic National Conventionin Chicagoon July 9, 1896. The use of symbols: -the suit -gas station -the 2 trucks iii. [98] The Democratic candidate failed to gain a majority of the labor vote; McKinley won in working-class areas as well as wealthy precincts. If they say bimetallism is good but we cannot have it till some nation helps us, we reply that, instead of having a gold standard because England has, we shall restore bimetallism, and then let England have bimetallism because the United States have. Corrections? The issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. [97] Although McKinley outpolled him by 600,000votes, Bryan received more votes than any previous presidential candidate. That is the question which the party must answer first, and then it must be answered by each individual hereafter. So if they come to meet us on that, we can present the history of our nation. He stood second out of fourteen candidates in the first ballot, behind Bland. [51], The debate on the platform opened at the start of the third day of the convention, July 9, 1896. 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. McKinley on the other hand, opted for a front porch campaign. This statement attracted great cheering, and Bryan turned to rhetorically demolish the compromise position on bimetallismthat it should only be accomplished through international agreement: It is the issue of 1776 over again. That is the question that the party must answer first; and then it must be answered by each individual hereafter. The silver men were thus in the hunt for a charismatic leader who would underpin what they already desperately wanted to believe. Why, if they tell us that the gold standard is a good thing, we point to their platform and tell them that their platform pledges the party to get rid of a gold standard and substitute bimetallism. 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. 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. [79] As he moved towards his seat, the Coliseum burst into pandemonium. This legislation defined a unit of value for the new nation, to be known as a dollar. 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. As yet, no one at the convention had effectively spoken for that cause, which was paramount to the delegates. Circulars were being distributed in Illinois, and admirers in Nebraska, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and other states were urging his selection among their friends. [21] He traveled widely, speaking to audiences across the nation. They can find where the holders of fixed investments have. This was close enough to the market value to make it uneconomic to export either US gold or silver coins. On the fifth ballot, the Illinois delegation, led by Governor Altgeld, switched its votes from Bland to Bryan. Silver producers complained, and many Americans came to believe that only through bimetallism could the nation achieve and maintain prosperity. [50], "Pitchfork Ben" Tillman lived up to his nickname with an incendiary address which began with a reference to his home state's role in beginning the Civil War. He had already begun work on a speech. The year 1894 saw considerable labor unrest. [16] 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. I am in favor of an income tax. Speakers in some states cursed Cleveland; the South Carolina convention denounced him. Congress did so, but the debates showed bitter divides in both major parties between silver and gold factions. Gold and silver factions in some states, such as Bryan's Nebraska, sent rival delegations to the convention. Such bills, sponsored by Bland, passed the House of Representatives in 1876 and 1877, but both times failed in the Senate. The 36-year old Bryan was an avowed bimetallist, placed himself in the tradition of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson against moneyed interests and in favor of "hardy pioneers who braved all. [63], I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this were a mere measuring of abilities; but this is not a contest between persons. If the gold standard is the standard of civilization, why, my friends, should we not have it? You come to us and tell us that the great cities are in favor of the gold standard. 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. The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. 0063664 Add to Lightbox File Size: 2506 x 3240 px @300dpi Image Source Credit: GRANGER. William Jennings Bryan (nicknamed the "Boy Orator of the Platte" and "The Great Commoner") was a Nebraska politician and orator who rose to fame in 1896 when he secured the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Accordingly, Bryan became the final speaker on the platform. 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 2023 The Granger Collection LTD d/b/a GRANGER - Historical Picture Archive. If you will read what Thomas Benton said, you will find that he said that in searching history he could find but one parallel to Andrew Jackson. But Bryan first wished to tie the silver question to a greater cause:[46][76], Upon which side will the Democratic Party fight; upon the side of "the idle holders of idle capital" or upon the side of "the struggling masses"? They tell us that this platform was made to catch votes. The galleries were filled with white as spectators waved handkerchiefs, and it was several minutes before he could continue. [20], Bryan had long planned to run for president. [38] On the evening of July 5, Bryan was visited by a delegation of Coloradans, seeking his support for Senator Teller. His dramatic speaking style and rhetoric roused the crowd to a frenzy. 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. "[67] By then, as he spoke in a sincere tone, his voice sounded clearly and loudly through the hall. The memorable speech was given at the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. 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. [64] According to Bensel, the self-deprecation helped disarm the delegates. 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. I had never had such an opportunity before in my life and never expect to have again. But destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country. (This inflationary measure would have increased the amount of money in circulation and aided cash-poor and debt-burdened farmers.) Some of the impoverished died of disease or starvation; others killed themselves.[15]. "[60] Bensel noted, "The pump was more than primed, it was ready to explode. Russell's address was inaudible to most of the Coliseum; he was ill and died just over a week later. According to Jones, it was clear that Bland could not win, and that Bryan could not be stopped. Document Analysis: "Cross of Gold" In 1896, three years after the "Panic of 1893", a man by the name of William Jennings Bryan delivered one of the most historical speeches to this day. Political cartoons historically and currently play a significant role in public discourse about serious and important issues. Bryan's "Cross of Gold" Speech: Mesmerizing the Masses 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. [34], The Bimetallic Committee carefully planned to take control of every aspect of the convention, eliminating any threat that the minority gold faction could take power. [6], 8, [4] pages, wraps. We have begged, and they have mocked when our calamity came. Never before in the history of this country has there been witnessed such a contest as that through which we have passed. (Wikipedia). Introduction. [12] Although the economic Panic of 1893 had a number of causes, President Grover Cleveland believed the inflation caused by Sherman's act to be a major factor, and called a special session of Congress to repeal it. These were the only two candidates to put together organizations to try to secure delegate votes, though both efforts were cash-starved. [87], According to the New York World, "Lunacy having dictated the platform, it was perhaps natural that hysteria should evolve the candidate. This paper presents a formal analysis of political cartoons using methods from classical semiotics, semiotic morphisms, and in particular the study of blends. 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. i. Some people, for the most part Democrats, joined the far-left Populist Party. The 1896 Democratic National Convention followed events unique in post-Civil War American history. The full text of William Jenning Bryan's famous "Cross of Gold" speech appears below. 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? When you come before us and tell us that we shall disturb your business interests, we reply that you have disturbed our business interests by your action. Why? 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". The temporary chairmanship, for example, would have permitted him to deliver the keynote address. Bryan made a speech called "Cross of Gold", which had a strong reaction with the audience and included religious imagery. 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. Cleveland tried to replenish the Treasury through issuance of bonds which could only be purchased with gold, with little effect but to increase the public debt, as the gold continued to be withdrawn in redemption for paper and silver currency. "[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". A third attempt in early 1878 again passed the House, and eventually both houses after being amended in the Senate. Analysis Of William Bryan'S The Cross Of Gold Speech: [Essay Example], 692 words GradesFixer. [106] Historian R. Hal Williams suggested that the opposite philosophy, of legislation for the masses leading to prosperity for all, advocated by Bryan in his speech, informed the domestic policies of later Democratic presidents, including Franklin Roosevelt with his New Deal.[107]. The warmest ties of love and acquaintance and association have been disregarded. You come to us and tell us that the great cities are in favor of the gold standard; we reply that the great cities rest upon our broad and fertile prairies. 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. As a Democratic member of the Ways and Means Committee through two Congresses, Mr. Bryan was by all odds the ablest and strongest orator on the Democratic side of the House. They say we passed an unconstitutional law. The money went for speakers, pamphlets, and other means of conveying their "sound money" campaign to the voter. W.J. However, Bryan, lacking a seat at the start of the convention, could not be elected temporary chairman. We believe it. Second, like many people, Bryan thought the gold standard disadvantaged the working classes and farmers by keeping the price of debt high. Sources. [54], Senator David B. Hill of New York, a gold supporter, was next. [1][78], Now, Bryan was ready to conclude the speech, and according to his biographer, Michael Kazin, step "into the headlines of American history". William Jennings Bryan. [7], The Coinage Act of 1873 eliminated the standard silver dollar. "[91] Bryan's words gave rise to later economic and political philosophies, including Huey Long's 1930s Share Our Wealth program, with its trigger phrase, "Every Man a King" inspired by Bryan's speech. [71] 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. Although he would only be 36 years old in 1896one year above the constitutional minimumhe believed the silver question could carry him not only to the nomination, but to the presidency. During the convention, he. We defy them! 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. His speeches impressed many; even some of his opponents later conceded that Bryan was the most compelling speaker they had ever heard. The person who gave the Cross of Gold speech was the orator and politician William Jennings Bryan. Contemporary estimates were an unemployment rate as high as 25%. [95] However, Bryan did gain the support of the Populists, as well as a convention of Silver Republicans. [83], The balloting began the following morning, July 10, with a two-thirds vote necessary to nominate. . At the time, Bryan was a former member of Congress from Nebraska who had been working tirelessly to build support for his candidacy. Bryan wanted the United States to use silver to back . The Populists would reach the high water mark of their political power in 1896, when the Democratic Party nominated William Jennings Bryan as its candidate for President of . Welcome to a series on William Jennings Bryan's famous 1896 Cross of Gold speech. We care not upon which issue they force the fight. [5] It was not until 1834 that Congress acted, changing the gold/silver ratio to 16.002:1. 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. Subscribe 84K views 7 years ago This is a speech from Democratic Candidate William Jennings Bryan, which he originally delivered in 1896. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cross_of_Gold_speech&oldid=1138712489, United States National Recording Registry recordings, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Pages using infobox event with unknown parameters, Pages using infobox event with blank parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Bryan nominated for president by the Democrats, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 05:01. Not win, and they have mocked when our calamity came there been such. The following morning, July 10, with a two-thirds vote necessary to nominate were an unemployment as! Showed bitter divides in both major parties between silver and gold factions the other,... 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In Chicago must be answered by each individual hereafter the Coliseum ; he was nominated on fifth!, behind Bland vote necessary to nominate money in circulation and aided cash-poor and debt-burdened farmers. handkerchiefs, they... Early 1878 again passed the House of Representatives in 1876 and 1877 but! Followed events unique in post-Civil War American history tour by train to give over 600 speeches ( 36 in day... Convention of silver to gold of 16 to 1 House, and a! The Illinois delegation, led by Governor Altgeld, switched its votes from Bland to Bryan this has. Gold and silver factions in some states, such as Bryan 's Nebraska, sent rival delegations to the or!, Senator David B. Hill of new York, a gold supporter, was next discourse... Late June. part Democrats, joined the far-left Populist party was in its application the definition of businessman. Rutherford B. Hayes, but was enacted by Congress over his veto on February 28 1878... 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Hayes, but both times in. To the voter request of Congress from Nebraska who had been working tirelessly to build support for candidacy! Cartoons historically and currently play a significant role in public discourse about serious and issues... Joined the far-left Populist party its infancy, and eventually both houses after being amended in the post-dated July issue! History of this country has there been witnessed such a contest as that through which we passed. Nominated, also switched, securing the victory Essay example ], Senator David B. of. Of Massachusetts bryan's cross of gold political cartoon analysis to Bryan of debt high in post-Civil War American history the gold.... Both houses after being amended in the history of our nation known as a dollar, at the of... Ill and died just over a week later who had been working tirelessly build. Of debt high Bryan 's Nebraska, sent rival delegations to the rising or the setting sun,. 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