What was Bryans message in his famous Cross of Gold speech during the election of 1896?

Full list of words from this list:

1. presumptuous

   going beyond what is appropriate, permitted, or courteous

   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.

   In this context presumptuous means to make an unsupported or arrogant assumption.

2. distinguished

   standing above others in character or attainment

   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.

   Bryan's speech followed those of several better known or more "distinguished" speakers.

3. humble

   low or inferior in station or quality

   The humblest citizen in all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause is stronger than all the whole hosts of error that they can bring.

4. clad

   having an outer covering especially of thin metal

   The humblest citizen in all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause is stronger than all the whole hosts of error that they can bring.

5. righteous

   morally justified

   The humblest citizen in all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause is stronger than all the whole hosts of error that they can bring.

6. host

   a vast multitude

   The humblest citizen in all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause is stronger than all the whole hosts of error that they can bring.

7. humanity

   all of the living inhabitants of the earth

   I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of liberty — the cause of humanity.

8. commendation

   a message expressing a favorable opinion

   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.

9. administration

   the group of people who manage or direct an institution

   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.

   In this context the administration means the current president and his cabinet. In 1896 this was Democrat Grover Cleveland.

10. condemnation

    an expression of strong disapproval

    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.

11. atom

    (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything

    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.

12. principle

    a basic truth or law or assumption

    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.

13. eternal

    continuing forever or indefinitely

    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.

14. politics

    the activities involved in managing a state or a government

    Never before in the history of American politics has a great issue been fought out as this issue has been by the voters themselves.

15. assert

    declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true

    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. . .

16. paramount

    more important than anything else; supreme

    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. . .

    Leading or foremost are synonyms for paramount.

17. zeal

    excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end

    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.

18. inspire

    spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts

    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.

19. render

    pass or hand down

    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.

20. array

    align oneself with a group or a way of thinking

    But in this contest, brother has been arrayed against brother, and father against son.

    Lined up or organized are synonyms for arrayed.

21. acquaintance

    a relationship less intimate than friendship

    The warmest ties of love and acquaintance and association have been disregarded.

22. sentiment

    a personal belief or judgment

    Old leaders have been cast aside when they refused to give expression to the sentiments of those whom they would lead, and new leaders have sprung up to give direction to this cause of freedom.

23. solemn

    characterized by a firm belief in your opinions

    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.

24. thwart

    hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire

    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.

25. assure

    give somebody confidence of the truth of something

    Let me assure him that not one person in all this convention entertains the least hostility to the people of the state of Massachusetts.

26. convention

    a large formal assembly

    Let me assure him that not one person in all this convention entertains the least hostility to the people of the state of Massachusetts.

    Bryan was speaking at the Democratic Party's nominating convention where they would select their presidential candidate and party platform.

27. counsel

    a lawyer who pleads cases in court

    The attorney in a country town is as much a businessman as the corporation counsel in a great metropolis.

28. metropolis

    a large and densely populated urban area

    The attorney in a country town is as much a businessman as the corporation counsel in a great metropolis.

    Metropolis is a synonym for large city.

29. channel

    a means of communication or access

    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.

30. financial

    involving fiscal matters

    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.

    Banking or business are synonyms for financial.

31. magnate

    a very wealthy or powerful businessperson

    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.

32. posterity

    all future generations

    We are fighting in the defense of our homes, our families, and posterity.

33. petition

    a formal request that something be submitted to an authority

    We have petitioned, and our petitions have been scorned.

34. scorn

    reject with contempt

    We have petitioned, and our petitions have been scorned.

35. entreat

    ask for or request earnestly

    We have entreated, and our entreaties have been disregarded.

36. mock

    treat with contempt

    We have begged, and they have mocked when our calamity came.

37. calamity

    an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

    We have begged, and they have mocked when our calamity came.

    Disaster and tragedy are synonyms for calamity.

38. tyrant

    a cruel and oppressive dictator

    My friend, in this land of the free you need fear no tyrant who will spring up from among the people.

39. aggregate

    gather in a mass, sum, or whole

    What we need is an Andrew Jackson to stand as Jackson stood, against the encroachments of aggregated wealth.

    Collected is a synonym for aggregated. Bryan was referring to President Andrew Jackson who was elected in 1828. Jackson represented the common people and opposed bankers and businessmen.

40. unconstitutional

    not consistent with or according to fundamental laws

    They say we passed an unconstitutional law.

41. currency

    the metal or paper medium of exchange that is presently used

    He says that we are opposing the national bank currency.

    Money is a synonym for currency.

42. conspiracy

    a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act

    That was Cicero, who destroyed the conspiracies of Cataline and saved Rome.

43. function

    the actions and activities assigned to a person or group

    We say in our platform that we believe that the right to coin money and issue money is a function of government.

44. sovereignty

    the authority of a state to govern another state

    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.

    Self-rule and self-government are synonyms for sovereignty.

45. statute

    an act passed by a legislative body

    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.

    A statute is a synonym for a law. A penal statute is one to punish law breakers.

46. levy

    impose and collect

    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.

47. proposition

    a suggestion offered for acceptance or rejection

    Those who are opposed to this proposition tell us that the issue of paper money is a function of the bank and that the government ought to go out of the banking business.

48. tenure

    the term during which some position is held

    They complain about the plank which declares against the life tenure in office.

49. morals

    motivation based on ideas of right and wrong

    But if he means to say that we cannot change our monetary system without protecting those who have loaned money before the change was made, I want to ask him where, in law or in morals, he can find authority for not protecting the debtors when the act of 1873 was passed when he now insists that we must
    protect the creditor.

50. creditor

    a person to whom money is owed by a debtor

    But if he means to say that we cannot change our monetary system without protecting those who have loaned money before the change was made, I want to ask him where, in law or in morals, he can find authority for not protecting the debtors when the act of 1873 was passed when he now insists that we must
    protect the creditor.

51. amend

    make revisions to

    He says he also wants to amend this platform so as to provide that if we fail to maintain the parity within a year that we
    will then suspend the coinage of silver.

52. parity

    functional equality

    He says he also wants to amend this platform so as to provide that if we fail to maintain the parity within a year that we
    will then suspend the coinage of silver.

53. embody

    represent or express something abstract in tangible form

    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.

    In this context embody means to include in the party platform.

54. prophesy

    predict or reveal, as if through divine inspiration

    Mr. McKinley was the most popular man among the Republicans ; and everybody three months ago in the Republican Party prophesied his election.

    William McKinley was the Republican candidate.

55. avenge

    take action in return for a perceived wrong

    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.

56. wrath

    intense anger

    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.

57. surrender

    relinquish possession or control over

    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.

58. legislative

    of or relating to or created by law

    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.

59. potentate

    a powerful ruler, especially one who is unconstrained by law

    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..

    A potentate usually refers to a monarch or king.

60. enlightened

    characterized by full comprehension of the problem involved

    If they tell us that the gold standard is the standard of civilization, we reply to them that this, the most enlightened of all nations of the earth, has never declared for a gold standard, and both the parties this year are declaring against it.

61. idle

    not in action or at work

    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.

62. prosperous

    in fortunate circumstances financially

    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.

Created on May 10, 2012 (updated June 11, 2012)