In his speech, Bryan directly compares what he wants to happen, gain independence from the corrupt, controlling government, to the Declaration of Independence, when they fought for independence from a corrupt government as well.
William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech Summary: Bryan opens by saying that, as a person, he could run for the Democratic nomination. He claims, however, that the race is a matter of principle, and that it is the humanitarian principle which he supports that is running. He also claims that every working man is a business man, and that the Westward-moving pioneers are as supported by the party as the Eastern Elite. He continues by saying that he defends families against the "encroachment of aggregated wealth". He supports the income tax law that was recently found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. He went against his Democratic beliefs by supporting the governmental control of money and banking. He discusses the large issue of silver not being backed the same way that gold is and how the Republican nominee, McKinley is losing popularity because his party endorsed the gold standard and left out silver. Because of this, he is confident in his party winning the election. He competes his speech by saying that the Democratic party will support the struggling, poor workers who create the country's wealth and that the US should turn to bimetalism (using silver and gold) before other nations have the chance to and lead the world. He finishes the whole speech by saying "you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold".
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