LAD #20.

William Jennings Bryan's “Cross of Gold” Speech


This issue of whether or not to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1, is unquestionably a matter of undying principal, verses simply a personal issue. The holy cause of liberty must be defended. The silver Democrats, in particular, are meeting to address the interests of the common people. We come together now, not as individuals, but as a collective group fighting to defend our beliefs. We stand here representing people who are the equals before the law, from the businessmen of this nations’ states, to the farmers, to the coal miners. Through this matter we must all fight for our homes, families, and posterity. The income tax was not unconstitutional when it was passed, meaning the income tax is a just law. With the example that Thomas Benton gave, you will find that he said that in searching history he could find but one parallel to Andrew Jackson. In addition, Mr. Jefferson, who was once regarded as good Democratic authority, seems to have a different opinion from the gentleman who has addressed us on the part of the minority. I agree with Jefferson on this issue as the issue of money is a function of the government. In the past three months the sentiment concerning gold and economics has greatly shifted, as even the advocates of the gold standard did not think that we could elect a President. The change being that Mr. McKinley was nominated at St. Louis upon a platform that declared for the maintenance of the gold standard, until it should be changed into bimetallism by an international agreement. In this issue we shall prevail as we can simply point to their platform and tell them that their platform pledges the party to get rid of a gold standard and substitute bimetallism. Mr. Carlisle once said in 1878, that this was a struggle between the idle holders of idle capital and the struggling masses. Fellow Americans and friends, we shall declare that this nation is able to legislate for its own people on every question without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation.

LAD #20.

William Jennings Bryan's “Cross of Gold” Speech


This issue of whether or not to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1, is unquestionably a matter of undying principal, verses simply a personal issue. The holy cause of liberty must be defended. The silver Democrats, in particular, are meeting to address the interests of the common people. We come together now, not as individuals, but as a collective group fighting to defend our beliefs. We stand here representing people who are the equals before the law, from the businessmen of this nations’ states, to the farmers, to the coal miners. Through this matter we must all fight for our homes, families, and posterity. The income tax was not unconstitutional when it was passed, meaning the income tax is a just law. With the example that Thomas Benton gave, you will find that he said that in searching history he could find but one parallel to Andrew Jackson. In addition, Mr. Jefferson, who was once regarded as good Democratic authority, seems to have a different opinion from the gentleman who has addressed us on the part of the minority. I agree with Jefferson on this issue as the issue of money is a function of the government. In the past three months the sentiment concerning gold and economics has greatly shifted, as even the advocates of the gold standard did not think that we could elect a President. The change being that Mr. McKinley was nominated at St. Louis upon a platform that declared for the maintenance of the gold standard, until it should be changed into bimetallism by an international agreement. In this issue we shall prevail as we can simply point to their platform and tell them that their platform pledges the party to get rid of a gold standard and substitute bimetallism. Mr. Carlisle once said in 1878, that this was a struggle between the idle holders of idle capital and the struggling masses. Fellow Americans and friends, we shall declare that this nation is able to legislate for its own people on every question without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation.

LAD #19

Populist Party Platform, 1892 (July 4, 1892)

The Populist Party of the 1890s represented a third party, separate from the Democratic and Republic, who opposed the "concentrated capital" of banks and big business, and acted as an opposition to the many changes of the Gilded Age in America. The Populist Party Platform includes a preamble, a platform and an expression of sentiments. The economic issues at hand, have lead our nation into moral, political and material ruin, as the power to create money is entrusted only to wealthy bond-holders, and silver has been demonetized with gold. To the end the present oppression, injustice, and poverty, power and influence must be granted to the common people. Therefore, at this time the perpetual and permanent labor union shall be created, where wealth will belong to whoever makes it. Finance, transportation, and land shall be regulated by the government at all times, with a safe, sound, and flexible national currency, and a people’s interest infrastructure and land. A free ballot, and a fair count in all elections is demanded, with no interference by Federal government. With regard to the taxation of industries, the revenue derived from a graduated income tax should be applied to the reduction these burdensome taxes. Let it be known also that the ex-Union soldiers and sailors are to be supported and respected, as undesirable immigration is to be halted. The Pinkerton system is to be seen as a menacing program, yet, we cordially sympathize with the efforts of organized workingmen to shorten the hours of labor. We support the initiative and referendum, which is the favorable consideration of the people. National aid to any private corporation is opposed, as the restriction of one-term offices for Presidents and Vice Presidents are to be recognized.

LAD #21. dawes act

“An Act to Provide for the Allotment of Lands in Severalty to Indians on the Various Reservations, and to Extend the Protection of the Laws of the United States and the Territories over the Indians, and for Other Purposes”

While respecting the decisions made by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress, the following eleven sections address the conditions of the Indian reservations in the United States of America. The land of these reservations will be distributed with the head of each family keeping one-quarter, orphaned children under the age of eighteen as well as other children over the age of eighteen keeping one-eighth, and other children under the age of eighteen keeping one-sixteenth of the said land. In the case of a lack of appropriate land, the provisions will continue to follow the ratio given. Section two states that each allotment of land shall be decided upon by the Indians themselves. The allotments provided for in this act, shall be made by special agents appointed by the President, and furthermore, that any Indian not residing upon an appointed reservation, shall be able to make settlement upon any surveyed or unserved lands of the United States. According to the President and the Secretary of the Interior, the reservation lands shall be used for whatever religious or social proceedings of the Indians and that each American State and territory shall make further regulations for themselves. Each respective tribe or band shall be at all times held responsible to any criminal or unlawful actions under the law of their particular State or territory. The Secretary of the Interior shall also be responsible for the decisions in regard to irrigation and agricultural changes made in the reservations. This act shall not extend to the territory occupied by the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Seminoles, and Osage, Miamies and Peorias, and Sacs and Foxes, nor to that strip of territory in the State of Nebraska adjoining the Sioux Nation, or the Seneca Nation. The sale of this worth of this land shall be one hundred thousand dollars. Nothing in this act shall interfere with the power of Congress to use highways or railroads through these lands, nor shall it prevent the removal of the Southern Ute Indians from their present reservation in Southwestern Colorado.

LAD #18 McKinely's War

William McKinley’s War Message

"In the name of humanity...
The war in Cuba must stop."
After the ultimatum given to Spain by the Untied States in March 1898, Spain finally ceased all fighting and granted an armistice to the Cuban revolutionists participating in the bloody Cuban war. Upon this action, President McKinley asked Congress to take steps to bring an end to the conflict in Cuba, yet despite these initial neutral efforts, Congress adopted a joint resolution which plunged the United States into war on the side of the Cubans.
April 11, 1898
To the Congress of the United States:
As President of the Untied States and as the Constitution requires, I will now pass on information from the union of the state, and recommend specific actions in regard to the grave Cuban situation. The brutal circumstances of the fighting in Cuba have effected the United States if America for nearly half a century. In addition to the cruel and uncivilized nature of warfare, our trade and capital has also suffered. Even though it would still be preferable to achieve a
rational compromise, as stated in my address in December, the recognition of the independence of Cuba may be impracticable and indefensible. The solid grounds of our intervention include the protection of humanity against inhumane bloodshed, the protection of citizens and their lives and property, to protect our trade and commerce, and ultimately to save the peace of our government as a whole. The reality of these dangers have been brought to our attention through several events including the destruction of the Maine. For the innocent and starving Cubans caught in the hellish condition of warfare and also for the public of the Untied States of America depend on the absolute halt of the Cuban war. It is with these thoughts on mind that I now ask the Congress to authorize and empower the President to take measures to secure a full and final termination of hostilities between the government of Spain and the people of Cuba, and furthermore, to ensure a successful and stable government for the Cuban people.