<P> The Cross of Gold speech was delivered by William Jennings Bryan , a former United States Representative from Nebraska , at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9 , 1896 . In the address , Bryan supported bimetallism or `` free silver '' , which he believed would bring the nation prosperity . He decried the gold standard , concluding the speech , `` you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold '' . Bryan 's address helped catapult him to the Democratic Party 's presidential nomination ; it is considered one of the greatest political speeches in American history . </P>
<P> The Cross of Gold speech was delivered by William Jennings Bryan , a former United States Representative from Nebraska , at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9 , 1896 . In the address , Bryan supported bimetallism or `` free silver '' , which he believed would bring the nation prosperity . He decried the gold standard , concluding the speech , `` you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold '' . Bryan 's address helped catapult him to the Democratic Party 's presidential nomination ; it is considered one of the greatest political speeches in American history . </P>
who gave the famous cross of gold speech
who gave the famous cross of gold speech
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan