Honors History Writing #2: Endorsing a Candidate- William Jennings Bryan

With the November election drawing nearer and nearer, it’s no surprise that a good number of people have already decided on who is going to get their vote.

Because of the inconsistent and lax governing that has been plaguing America these last couple of years, the country has slipped into a state of economic depression. In order to get the country back on its feet, there needs to be someone in power who can bring economic soundness to the table. However, this can’t be accomplished if the rich are only allowed to get richer and the poor are left scrounging around at the bottom for scraps struggling just to pay their taxes every month. Why not give the higher tariff to the man who can afford to pay it? That only seems reasonable.

Of the two candidates, there is only one who will definitely lead our country to the economic power it once had, and his name is William Jennings Bryan. He favors lower taxes for the common man and takes the power from the large business owners. By giving these lower rates to the middle and lower class citizens, everyone is better able to pay taxes and keep the economy stable.

With the supposed “extreme” Free Silver movement, the dollar would be reduced to 47 cents, allowing the poorer people of America to pay their debts quicker. If aristocrats aren’t going to do their part in keeping the economy alive, something needs to be done. When money gets in the way, people tend to become selfish and greed takes over. So the value of the dollar would be decreased. That is something that can be adjusted to easily. It’s the fault of big conglomerates and business moguls that nothing is being done about those who can’t pay for themselves. Bryan’s policies can fix all of these problems.

Bryan’s reach is far deeper than McKinley’s. The experiences of McKinley consist of Canton, Ohio. But Bryan was raised in the South, and travels all over spreading the word of his new policies. He is trying his hardest to speak with people that may not be able to hear his words otherwise. What has McKinley done but continue to hammer the minds of his fellow townspeople with the same words over and over again? Bryan is constantly changing the way he presents his information and making sure that he reaches a multitude of people from all walks of life.

Aside from all of that, the eloquence with which Bryan delivers his speeches is unquestionably better than William McKinley. Bryan forms his words in a way that no one before him has, meaning that he can better negotiate with our allies and our enemies. That is a very valuable asset, especially if our country were to enter into an easily-avoided war with problems that simple speech and compromise could alleviate. So far, Bryan is the most well-equipped to combat communication errors.

If elected, Bryan can mend the errors of past presidents and keep all of the problems caused by greed and selfishness at bay. His new standards can usher in a new era of political oneness between the government and its people, without alienating the poor. The upper classmen who once ruled the economic standing of this country can be knocked down and the unheard peons who toil away on the railroads can be brought into the light. The efforts of the working class will finally be recognized, but only under Bryan’s presidency.

With his well-spoken speeches and people skills, not voting for Bryan would be a very grave mistake. What other man have we seen that can create such a connection with his countrymen, all the while working so diligently to dig this land out of a hole that should never have been there? How does it make sense to vote for a man who will keep the poor from getting anywhere in life, yet continue to fill the pocketbooks and wallets of those who are too obsessed with their money to give any of it back? Without a newer, more solid foundation for taxation, America will continue to slip deeper and deeper into a depression.

Play it safe and stick with the man who knows what’s ahead for our great nation. Don’t count on someone who plans to keep the common man begging at the feet of the wealthy.