William Jennings Bryan Quotes


… the struggling masses


Context

Bryan's concept of struggling masses included farmers and small businessmen.


Citations

William Jennings Bryan, 1860-1925, U. S. Secretary of State, U. S. Congressman (Democrat, NB), 3 Time Unsuccessful Democratic Presidential Candidate, Frequently used phrase urging benefits of government activity

Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations

Related Quotes

Most people who hear this quote for the first time assume that it originates with some radical socialist of the 1930s. However it came from a President of the United States and a Republican President at that. Few scholars will place this quotation correctly.


The Supreme Court had ruled that there could be no limits placed on the amount of money that could be spent by a rich company or person to campaign for a candidate. It would deny them their right to freedom of speech. That was the context of Hollings’ remark.


William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan
  • Born: March 19, 1860
  • Died: July 26, 1925
  • Nationality: American
  • Profession: Lawyer

William Jennings Bryan was an American orator and politician from Illinois and Nebraska. Beginning in 1896, he emerged as a dominant force in the Democratic Party, running three times as the party's nominee for President of the United States in the 1896, 1900, and 1908 elections. He also served in the United States House of Representatives and as the United States Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson. Because of his faith in the wisdom of the common people, he was often called "The Great Commoner".