William Jennings Bryan: An Electrifying Orator [audio 8 min 56 sec]
At the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, William Jennings Bryan gave a speech that electrified his party.
The 36-year-old Bryan, who only served a couple of terms as a congressman from Nebraska and lost a bid for the U.S. Senate in 1894, was an unlikely presidential candidate.
But his "Cross of Gold" speech — about the gold standard and its impact on the working class — won him the nomination. It is known today as one of the most important oratorical performances in American history.
Read entire article at National Public Radio: All Things Considered
The 36-year-old Bryan, who only served a couple of terms as a congressman from Nebraska and lost a bid for the U.S. Senate in 1894, was an unlikely presidential candidate.
But his "Cross of Gold" speech — about the gold standard and its impact on the working class — won him the nomination. It is known today as one of the most important oratorical performances in American history.