William Jennings Bryan

“…the most famous speech in American political history was delivered by William Jennings Bryan on July 9, 1896, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.”

Excerpt:

When you come before us and tell us that we are about to disturb your business, we say to you that you have made the definition of a businessman too limited in its application.

The man who is employed for wages is as much a businessman as his employer; the attorney in a country town is as much a businessman as the corporation counsel in a great metropolis; the merchant at the crossroads store is as much a businessman as the merchant of New York; the farmer who goes forth in the morning and toils all day … is as much a businessman as the man who goes upon the board of trade and bets upon the price of grain …

We come to speak for this broader class of businessmen.

We do not come as aggressors. Our war is not a war of conquest; we are fighting in the defense of our homes, our families, and posterity. We have petitioned, and our petitions have been scorned; we have entreated, and our entreaties have been disregarded; we have begged, and they have mocked when our calamity came.

We beg no longer; we entreat no more; we petition no more. We defy them!

For a recording of this speech, as well as the full text, click here.