Cross of Gold speech

The Cross of Gold speech was a famous speech at the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois by William Jennings Bryan. He wanted silver and not gold to be America's bullion standard. It was his goal to create inflation to help those in debt. The end of the speech gives it its name when he says;

Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.

Cross Of Gold Speech Media

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  Representative Richard P. Bland

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  Chicago Coliseum

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  Former Iowa Governor Horace Boies was a major contender for the Democratic nomination for president in 1896.

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  In a 1900 engraving, former Massachusetts Governor William E. Russell is shown preceding Bryan in addressing the convention.

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  The 1896 Democratic National Convention

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  Bryan campaigning on stage a few months after the speech

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  A "Bryan dollar" issued by his opponents to illustrate the difference between the size of a silver dollar and the amount of bullion that could be purchased with a dollar.