How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
When I say that the contest of 1900 is a contest between Democracy on the one hand and plutocracy on the other I do not mean to say that all our opponents have deliberately chosen to give to organized wealth a predominating influence in the affairs of the Government, but I do assert that on the important issues of the day the Republican party is dominated by those influences which constantly tend to substitute the worship of mammon for the protection of the rights of man. (3)
If you're sick and tired of reading about Democrats ripping on Republicans and Republicans ripping on Democrats in the same ole merry-go-round political hatespeak, stop reading now. Because that's what Bryan is doing here. He's calling them a bunch of Scrooge McDucks, in their swimming pools filled with gold and laughing maniacally as they try to conquer the world.
Quote #2
The forcible annexation of territory to be governed by arbitrary power differs as much from the acquisition of territory to be built up into states as a monarchy differs from a democracy. The democratic party does not oppose expansion when expansion enlarges the area of the republic and incorporates land which can be settled by American citizens, or adds to our population people who are willing to become citizens and are capable of discharging their duties as such. (33)
Sometimes it seems like politics attracts hypocrisy like flies to honey.
Even though Bryan's trying to take the higher ground here, there's a teensy-weensy double standard going on. He wants to criticize Republicans for acting like imperial monarchists, but he's defending the Democratic Party for the expansionism that they've supported in the past.
Manifest Destiny? Eh, that's okay in Bryan's book. Colonialism? Sure, why not. Decepticon Transformers taking over earth? Well, maybe that doesn't work in Bryan's political worldview.
Either way, it shows that Bryan is willing to look the other way and be a little hush-hush when it comes to criticizing the role that Democrats have played in American expansionism.
Quote #3
A republic can have no subjects. A subject is possible only in a government resting upon force; he is unknown in a government deriving its just powers from the consent of the governed. (45)
This statement was the whole reason Bryan started throwing out historical names left and right like he just took an American History course last semester at the local community college. Patrick Henry (24-25), Daniel Webster (30), Thomas Jefferson (5, 25, 32, 59)—those guys were real republicans. Not like those posers in the Republican Party. And real republicans don't believe in dominating other people. That's Bryan's message.