William Jennings Bryan's "A Cross of Gold" Speech: List 1

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. presumptuous
    going beyond what is appropriate, permitted, or courteous
    Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention: I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this were mere measuring of abilities; but this is not a contest between persons.
    In this context, presumptuous means to make an unsupported or arrogant assumption.
  2. distinguished
    standing above others in character or attainment
    Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention: I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this were mere measuring of abilities; but this is not a contest between 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 hosts of error.
  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 hosts of error.
  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 hosts of error.
  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 hosts of error.
  7. humanity
    the quality of being compassionate and kind
    I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of liberty—the cause of humanity.
  8. motion
    a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly
    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 offered in condemnation of the Administration.
  9. resolution
    a formal expression by a meeting, agreed to by a vote
    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 offered in condemnation of the Administration.
  10. 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 offered in condemnation of the Administration.
  11. 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 offered in condemnation of the Administration.
    In this context, the administration means the current president and his cabinet. In 1896, this was Democrat Grover Cleveland.
  12. 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 offered in condemnation of the Administration.
  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 over a 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 of a great party.
  15. paramount
    more important than anything else; supreme
    On the fourth 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; declaring that a majority of the Democratic party had the right to control the action of the party on this paramount issue...
    Leading or foremost are synonyms for paramount.
  16. majority
    more than half of the votes in an election
    On the fourth 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; declaring that a majority of the Democratic party had the right to control the action of the party on this paramount issue...
  17. zeal
    excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end
    With a zeal approaching the zeal which inspired the crusaders who followed Peter the Hermit, our silver Democrats went forth from victory unto victory, until they are now assembled, not to discuss, not to debate, but to enter up the judgment already rendered by the plain people of this country.
  18. inspire
    spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
    With a zeal approaching the zeal which inspired the crusaders who followed Peter the Hermit, our silver Democrats went forth from victory unto victory, until they are now assembled, not to discuss, not to debate, but to enter up the judgment already rendered by the plain people of this country.
  19. render
    pass or hand down
    With a zeal approaching the zeal which inspired the crusaders who followed Peter the Hermit, our silver Democrats went forth from victory unto victory, until they are now assembled, not to discuss, not to debate, but to enter up the judgment already rendered by the plain people of this country.
  20. array
    align oneself with a group or a way of thinking
    In this contest, brother has been arrayed against brother, father against son.
    Lined up or organized are synonyms for arrayed.
  21. acquaintance
    a relationship less intimate than friendship
    The warmest ties of love, acquaintance and association have been disregarded; old leaders have been cast aside when they have 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 truth.
  22. disregard
    give little or no attention to
    The warmest ties of love, acquaintance and association have been disregarded; old leaders have been cast aside when they have 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 truth.
  23. sentiment
    a personal belief or judgment
    The warmest ties of love, acquaintance and association have been disregarded; old leaders have been cast aside when they have 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 truth.
  24. 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 imposed upon representatives of the people.
  25. impose
    compel to behave in a certain way
    Thus has the contest been waged, and we have assembled here under as binding and solemn instructions as were ever imposed upon representatives of the people.
Created on Thu May 10 14:11:27 EDT 2012 (updated Fri Mar 15 10:23:40 EDT 2024)

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