William Jennings Bryan's "A Cross of Gold" Speech: List 4

On July 8, 1896, William Jennings Bryan, a former Congressman from Nebraska, rose to address the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In his now famous "A 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. Read the full text here.

Here are links to our lists for the speech: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. suspension
    temporary cessation
    He says he will also propose an amendment which will provide for the suspension of free coinage if we fail to maintain the parity within a year.
  2. parity
    functional equality
    He says he will also propose an amendment which will provide for the suspension of free coinage if we fail to maintain the parity within a year.
  3. advocate
    speak, plead, or argue in favor of
    We reply that when we advocate a policy which we believe will be successful, we are not compelled to raise a doubt as to our own sincerity by suggesting what we shall do if we fail.
  4. compel
    force somebody to do something
    We reply that when we advocate a policy which we believe will be successful, we are not compelled to raise a doubt as to our own sincerity by suggesting what we shall do if we fail.
  5. sincerity
    the quality of being open and truthful
    We reply that when we advocate a policy which we believe will be successful, we are not compelled to raise a doubt as to our own sincerity by suggesting what we shall do if we fail.
  6. secure
    get by special effort
    He says he wants this country to try to secure an international agreement.
  7. maintain
    keep in a certain state, position, or activity
    Why does he not tell us what he is going to do if he fails to secure an international agreement? There is more reason for him to do that than there is for us to provide against the failure to maintain the parity.
  8. opponent
    someone who offers resistance
    Our opponents have tried for twenty years to secure an international agreement, and those are waiting for it most patiently who do not want it at all.
  9. tariff
    a government tax on imports or exports
    If they ask us why it is that we say more on the money question than we say upon the tariff question, I reply that, if protection has slain its thousands, the gold standard has slain its tens of thousands.
  10. embody
    represent or express something abstract in tangible form
    If they ask us why we do not embody in our platform all the things that we believe in, we reply that when we have restored the money of the Constitution all other necessary reform will be possible, but that until this is done there is no other reform that can be accomplished.
    In this context, embody means to include in the party platform.
  11. restore
    bring back into original existence, function, or position
    If they ask us why we do not embody in our platform all the things that we believe in, we reply that when we have restored the money of the Constitution all other necessary reform will be possible, but that until this is done there is no other reform that can be accomplished.
  12. reform
    a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses
    If they ask us why we do not embody in our platform all the things that we believe in, we reply that when we have restored the money of the Constitution all other necessary reform will be possible, but that until this is done there is no other reform that can be accomplished.
  13. assert
    declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
    Three months ago, when it was confidently asserted that those who believe in the gold standard would frame our platform and nominate our candidates, even the advocates to the gold standard did not think that we could elect a President.
  14. frame
    make up plans or basic details for
    Three months ago, when it was confidently asserted that those who believe in the gold standard would frame our platform and nominate our candidates, even the advocates to the gold standard did not think that we could elect a President.
  15. scarcely
    almost not
    And they had good reason for their doubt, because there is scarcely a State here to-day asking for the gold standard which is not in the absolute control of the Republican party.
  16. nominate
    propose as a candidate for some honor
    Mr. McKinley was nominated at St. Louis upon a platform which declared for the maintenance of the gold standard until it can be changed into bimetallism by international agreement.
  17. maintenance
    activity involved in keeping something in good working order
    Mr. McKinley was nominated at St. Louis upon a platform which declared for the maintenance of the gold standard until it can be changed into bimetallism by international agreement.
  18. prophesy
    predict or reveal, as if through divine inspiration
    Mr. McKinley was the most popular man among the Republicans, and three months ago everybody in the Republican party prophesied his election.
    William McKinley was the Republican candidate.
  19. distinct
    clearly or sharply defined to the mind
    Why, the man who was once pleased to think that he looked like Napoleon—that man shudders to-day when he remembers that he was nominated on the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo. Not only that, but as he listens he can hear with ever-increasing distinctness the sound of the waves as they beat upon the lonely shores of St. Helena.
  20. evident
    clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
    Ah, my friends, is not the reason for the change evident to any one who will look at the matter?
  21. avenge
    take action in return for a perceived wrong
    No private character, however pure, no personal popularity, however great, can protect from the avenging wrath of an indignant people a man who will declare that he is in favor of fastening the gold standard upon this country, or who is willing to surrender the right of self-government and place the legislative control of our affairs in the hands of foreign potentates and powers.
  22. wrath
    belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong
    No private character, however pure, no personal popularity, however great, can protect from the avenging wrath of an indignant people a man who will declare that he is in favor of fastening the gold standard upon this country, or who is willing to surrender the right of self-government and place the legislative control of our affairs in the hands of foreign potentates and powers.
  23. indignant
    angered at something unjust or wrong
    No private character, however pure, no personal popularity, however great, can protect from the avenging wrath of an indignant people a man who will declare that he is in favor of fastening the gold standard upon this country, or who is willing to surrender the right of self-government and place the legislative control of our affairs in the hands of foreign potentates and powers.
  24. surrender
    relinquish possession or control over
    No private character, however pure, no personal popularity, however great, can protect from the avenging wrath of an indignant people a man who will declare that he is in favor of fastening the gold standard upon this country, or who is willing to surrender the right of self-government and place the legislative control of our affairs in the hands of foreign potentates and powers.
  25. potentate
    a powerful ruler, especially one who is unconstrained by law
    No private character, however pure, no personal popularity, however great, can protect from the avenging wrath of an indignant people a man who will declare that he is in favor of fastening the gold standard upon this country, or who is willing to surrender the right of self-government and place the legislative control of our affairs in the hands of foreign potentates and powers.
    A potentate usually refers to a monarch or king.
Created on Thu Mar 14 09:01:46 EDT 2024 (updated Fri Mar 15 10:24:00 EDT 2024)

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