Cross of Gold speech

Cultural  

1. An address by the presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan to the national convention of the Democratic party in 1896. Bryan criticized the gold standard and advocated inflating the currency by the free coinage of silver, a measure popular among the debt-ridden farmers whom Bryan championed. “You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns,” said Bryan; “You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.” The speech stirred the convention, and Bryan was nominated for president.

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Example Sentences

But after Bryan delivered his now legendary "Cross of Gold" speech, he walked away with the party's nomination - and a place in the history books.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 29, 2012

Teddy Roosevelt is here with his high-keyed whinny, and William Jennings Bryan with the sound of a tired old tuba as he bup-bups his famous last words of the "Cross of Gold" speech.

From Time Magazine Archive

Note also Mr. Bryan's attempt to secure the confidence of his audience in the following introduction to his "Cross of Gold" speech delivered before the National Democratic Convention in Chicago, 1896.

From The Art of Public Speaking by Carnagey, Dale

Notice how Senator Thurston in his plea for intervention in Cuba and Mr. Bryan in his "Cross of Gold" speech constituted themselves the apostles of humanity.

From The Art of Public Speaking by Carnagey, Dale