William Jennings Bryan's Speech Summary: What Is The Gold Standard?

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On July 9, 1896 William Jennings Bryan delivered his famous Cross of Gold speech. It is known as one of the most unforgettable speeches ever given. In his speech he talked over the issues of the gold standard and why there should be free coinage of silver. However, this is not the only thing he discusses, it is just a fraction of it. With words of pure wisdom he had no problem sharing them with those who were willing to lend a listening ear. He was a very intellectual man who makes sure his audience understands what he is trying to interpret in his speeches. A political man with ideas of excellence and proof to back everything he believed, he had no issue fighting for change within the system. As a politician his main goal was to persuade …show more content…

Touching on how the gold standard is one of the most controversial issues to come about in all of history and needs to be repented. He wants all those in favor of free coinage of silver within the Democratic party to combine forces and take over the Democratic Party. Following his request, they did manage to do so and proposed their thoughts on to those with higher power. They will not take no for an answer and will no longer beg for it to be accepted. In his speech he says, they “fight in defense of our homes, our families, and posterity.” If their plans were to fail,which they had no doubt, then an agreement was made to suspend the coinage of …show more content…

The only right solution would be to do away with it completely. He is not criticizing the gold standard, although some people do believe that he just brings attention to what everyone else already knew. Income tax and free silver coinage were not seen unconstitutional until someone from the Supreme Court ruled it as such, this led to making citizens believe it as well. Mr. Bryan was trying to prove that it was not unconstitutional at all that was just the belief of one. Although, the ultimate decision is in the hands of the government. Gaining as allie Mr. Jefferson, well respected in the Democratic society, says the problem is with the banks being in circulation with paper money rather with the gold itself. The real question is if the gold standard is a good thing then he wants to know why their party has been said to try and replace with bimetallism? However just four months earlier they on board with the gold standard and would not amend it to enable two metals to be in circulation even of the whole world was involved. He says If the gold standard was truly good then he would not be working so hard to remove it but to improve it. When people look back in time they will realize that the gold standard was not needed, so why keep it? Without the restorations of money for the Constitution, how do you expect to have a

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