Emerson on Sound Money A Speech, 1896

"Emerson on Sound Money" by Willis George Emerson is a stirring political address from the 1890s that grapples with the heated economic debates of the time. This work explores the critical concept of "sound money" and contrasts the speaker's Republican ideals with the free-silver movement championed by figures like William Jennings Bryan. Set against a backdrop of post-Civil War financial instability, the speech champions the gold standard as the bedrock of economic stability and prosperity. The speaker warns against the dangers of free silver, asserting that it threatens the nation's financial well-being. Through historical examples and what he believes to be sound economic reasoning, the author passionately advocates for the Republican platform of protectionism, stable currency, and judicious silver regulation as vital to America's future. Throughout, the speech resonates with patriotic fervor, urging voters to make informed decisions to safeguard American values and its economic success.