I spent today, going through a lot of the notes, emails, and things that I wrote a long time ago in reference to friends and family as a young aspiring scholar. I admit, I did not chose to end my career in that area, but I still remain drawn to it. I sat tonight, and listened again to Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech. You can hear it here:
http://historymatters.gmu.edu/...
But as I listened to it this time, I am reminded of the message that so many are trying to send now; who wait for a moment like this to come today.
I would be presumptuous, indeed, to present myself against the distinguished gentlemen to whom you have listened if this were but a measuring of ability; but this is not a contest among persons. The humblest citizen in all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause is stronger than all the whole hosts of error that they can bring. I come to speak to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of liberty—the cause of humanity. When this debate is concluded, a motion will be made to lay upon the table the resolution offered in commendation of the administration and also the resolution in condemnation of the administration. I shall object to bringing this question down to a level of persons. The individual is but an atom; he is born, he acts, he dies; but principles are eternal; and this has been a contest of principle.
In almost every way, knowing or unknowing, OWS and movements like it as well as most of the content here on Kos, is a contest of principles - a question of progress, of goals.
We no longer debate the gold standard. But so much of the root problems still remain; and much of Bryan's words ring as true now as they did more then a hundred years ago
But we stand here representing people who are the equals before the law of the largest cities in the state of Massachusetts. When you come before us and tell us that we shall disturb your business interests, we reply that you have disturbed our business interests by your action. We say to you that you have made too limited in its application the definition of a businessman. The man who is employed for wages is as much a businessman as his employer.
What Bryan saw at the heart of the party was an imbalance between the worker and his employer - an imbalance which was then far less severe then it is today. But he pointed out the obvious: the workers were businessmen in the same way as their employers; they were in the same endeavor to advance both of their interests. The success of one directly meant the success of the other; and the success of a business as a whole was meant to benefit all.
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, begins in the spring and toils all summer, and by the application of brain and muscle to the natural resources of this country creates wealth, is as much a businessman as the man who goes upon the Board of Trade and bets upon the price of grain. The miners who go 1,000 feet into the earth or climb 2,000 feet upon the cliffs and bring forth from their hiding places the precious metals to be poured in the channels of trade are as much businessmen as the few financial magnates who in a backroom corner the money of the world.
Whether anyone wishes to acknowledge it or not, our basic economic relies heavily on a symbiotic relationship between all parties; when that relationship becomes parasitic, where there is not a mutual benefit, then as Bryan pointed out there comes a time to force a change.
It is for these that we speak. 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!
Does this not seem familiar, now and then?
The income tax is a just law. It simply intends to put the burdens of government justly upon the backs of the people. I am in favor of an income tax. When I find a man who is not willing to pay his share of the burden of the government which protects him, I find a man who is unworthy to enjoy the blessings of a government like ours.
Sound Familiar?
There are two ideas of government. There are those who believe that if you just legislate to make the well-to-do prosperous, that their prosperity will leak through on those below. The Democratic idea has been that if you legislate to make the masses prosperous their prosperity will find its way up and through every class that rests upon it.
An economy that survives is one that ensures that it's people have the means to continue to fuel it; that they are consumers, that they are happy, that they are mobile within their life, that they dream of continuous and better improvements for their children and grandchildren.
There is no debate over a gold standard. No fear of oppression of farmers over their lack of capital directly.
Instead, we have corporations that have run them under; institutions devoid of the grasp of what happens next when those who would be consumers are afraid to consume, and job creation is in danger.
Bryan stood up, and believing as he did, challenged those around him to stand up and debate him; to challenge him on the merits of his case, to decide to fight for those who needed it.
The primary season begins next week. We fear not being hung on the cross of gold; because Gold is near unattainable for the masses.
We have begged, and they have mocked when our calamity came.
The mockery continues next week; and the calamity of those who ignore it continues. But as with Bryan, the time for begging is long past.
