LAD/Blog #24: Bryan's Cross of Gold

William Jennings Bryan, like the Populist Party, advocated the coinage of silver. His interpretation was that the gold standard favored the wealthy and the "trickle down theory," whereas the coinage of silver would favor the struggling peoples of the United States who could support the levels above them. Bryan asserted that cities could not exist without farms, though farms could exist without cities, and so the coinage of silver would support farmers in debt and thus the cities that needed then. Bryan also cited Andrew Jackson, saying that Democrats should be like him, fighting for the homes, families, and posterity of the common man and against the "idle holders of idle capital." Bryan ends by stating that his platform would have the backing of the the masses, and that mankind would not be "crucified upon a cross of gold."

LAD/Blog #23: The Populist Party Platform

 
The Populist Party's stance was that they believed there to be great inequality between American social classes. Their point of view was that monetary creation benefited the rich only, and that silver would be a preferable currency; they wanted unlimited coinage of silver in a ratio of sixteen to one. The Party wanted to increase to power to the "plan people" and provide for equality available to all men and women. The Party also asserted that Unions should be permanent, that earners of money should keep all of their earnings, and that the government needed to regulate railroads and telegraphs. To help earners of money keep their money, they were in favor of a graduated income tax, and their policies were meant to increase circulated money and aid farmers stuck in debt. The party also believed that land should not be hoarded by railroads companies or the government, but reserved for those who would settle it.

LAD/Blog #22: McKinley's War Message

 [ President William McKinley ]

President William McKinley's message is to Congress, asking for permission to enter into a war against the Spanish to aid the Cuban independence effort. McKinley briefly explained the background of the war, the past three years that had negatively impacted American trade and the hostilities that had taken a toll on the Cubans. McKinley believed that the United States could create peace between Cuba and Spain by using neutral intervention, because he considered it immoral and unjust for the United States to ignore bloodshed occurring "right at our door," saying as well that America had a duty to help Cuba, and also that the war was harming not only Cuba, but the United States itself. The danger posed to the United States was especially apparent in the destruction of the U.S.S. Maine, and McKinley believed that Congress had to consider allowing intervention in the war in order to achieve a compromise and a stabilized Cuban government.