On July 9, 1896 William Jennings Bryan, a former Congressman from Nebraska, rose to address the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In his now famous “Cross of Gold” speech Bryan called for the coinage of silver currency to gold currency at a ratio of 16 to 1. In those days all money was either gold or backed by gold actually held by the government. Bryan’s “bimetallism” proposal would have created inflation or “cheap money” to aid the poor farmers and workers who were his supporters. Business leaders and the Republicans opposed it. Considered one of the greatest political speeches of all time, Bryan’s fiery delivery mesmerized the convention and led to his nomination as the Democratic candidate for president. Bryan lost to Republican William McKinley on Election Day.
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- 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.
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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.
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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.
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. . .
- 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.
- 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.
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- acquaintance
a relationship less intimate than friendship
The warmest ties of love and acquaintance and association have been disregarded.
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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.
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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.
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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.
- 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.
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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.
- 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.
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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.
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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. - 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.
- 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. - posterity
all future generations
We are fighting in the defense of our homes, our families, and posterity.
- petition
a formal request that something be submitted to an authority
We have petitioned, and our petitions have been scorned.
- scorn
reject with contempt
We have petitioned, and our petitions have been scorned.
- entreat
ask for or request earnestly
We have entreated, and our entreaties have been disregarded.
- mock
treat with contempt
We have begged, and they have mocked when our calamity came.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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unconstitutional
not consistent with or according to fundamental laws
They say we passed an unconstitutional law.
- 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.
- conspiracy
a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act
That was Cicero, who destroyed the conspiracies of Cataline and saved Rome.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. - 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.
- tenure
the term during which some position is held
They complain about the plank which declares against the life tenure in office.
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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.
- 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.
- 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. -
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)