Judge — July 28, 1900 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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# "The Power of Oratory" - Judge Magazine Analysis This page satirizes William Jennings Bryan's 1896 "Cross of Gold" speech and its political aftermath. The main article criticizes Bryan's oratory as dangerously persuasive yet intellectually hollow—his silver-standard advocacy won Democratic support through rhetoric rather than sound economic policy. The cartoon "A Past Master" depicts a homeless man ("Sunny Slopes") crediting Bryan's persuasive powers for his improved circumstances: he now earns enough for meals, having previously starved. The satire suggests Bryan's eloquence fooled voters into supporting policies that helped no one materially. The accompanying images of tinware labeled "Ears of Corn" mock Bryan supporters as gullible listeners captivated by empty speeches rather than substantive governance.