Cross+of+Gold+Speech+G

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention,

Today, I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of humanity.

The definition of a business man is too limited in current application. The man who is employed for wages is as much a business man as his employer; the farmer who goes forth in the morning and toils all day is as much a business man as the man who goes upon the board of trade and bets upon the price of grain. There is definite need for us to redefine the “businessmen” and take every working population’s positions to our consideration.

Let me continue on to the issue of new principles being made. Allow me to inform you beforehand that new changes ultimately result in issues. The problem at hand at this moment concerns income tax; the new idea that it should not be brought here. We have been criticized for condemning the Supreme Court. However, the only condemnations you will find are in the opinions of the court. We have been criticized, yet again, for passing an unconstitutional law, and this we deny. The income tax was never considered unconstitutional. As a matter of fact, we believe that the income tax is fair and just.

An income tax places the encumbrances of government onto the backs of people, and I am an advocate for this. I see men who act grudgingly toward bearing his shares of the burdens of his government are not worthy enough to enjoy the protection from our government.

And why not bring up yet another issue I have been concerned with - the gold standard. If it is a good thing, why should we try to get rid of it? If the gold standard is the standard of civilization, why, my friends, should we not have it? But the truth is this - the gold standard is considered the standard of civilization, yet even the best, most developed nations in the world have never declared for a gold standard - and on top of that, both of America's parties are against it.

Well, this is what we will do - we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.