February 19, 2012

Mitt Romney's Cross of Gold?

By Douglas Flint
Capitalism itself is under attack by the Left once again, and will be an issue in the presidential election. Before conservatives commit to a full throated defense, they should consider a few political realities. When William Jennings Bryan made his famous "Cross of Gold" speech in 1896, I think it's fair to say the conventioneers who then nominated him did not hear the speech as an argument for a monetary policy (free silver coinage).  The speech, which every historian or political hack should read and listen to until committed to memory, was a moral outrage against those who would sell the soul of the nation to the money interests.  "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."  And though Bryan went on to lose the general election to McKinley because of a split in the party, can you imagine how the election might have gone if McKinley had chosen to spend his campaign defending and demanding...(Read Full Article)