LAD #20

LAD #20-Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech

This powerful speech by William Jennings Bryan about adopting a new currency during the time. Bryan supported bimetalism, or rather the use of both gold and silver currency, which was a popular opinon of the time. They felt that by switching to all gold, huge inflation would occur so rather a slow transition into the silver standard would lead to a much more positive outcome. His speech proved to be controversial for those who did not have the same viewpoint on the situation as Bryan. He spoke that the decision, if made hastily could cause inflation or the economy to crumble due to the lack of value behind money. Without gold and silver to back up paper money. it has no use.