Record for bringing in diverse and intellectually challenging and informed speakers. Tonights is no exception, and if you havent heard bill brands before, i think youll be delighted. If you have comments, in the past as i know many of you have, youre in for another treat. Please join me in welcoming my colleague, glees whitney, to introduce our speaker. [ applause ] well, thank you very much, elaine, for that warm introduction. We really treasure our partnership with the ford. Its always a treat. We will continue to bring you excellent programs that stimulate the mind and the heart for Public Service and love of our history. Happy washingtons birthday to our cspan audience and also to the audience here at the fort. Its really neat to be here recognizing washingtons birthday. This is one of the reasons we wanted bill to be here on this special day. Its always a pleasure to host bill brands. Weve had him back to west michigan so many times, ive lost count. But its been enough that he sho
Us throughout the program tonight. His book is call, its been 85 since debs died. Why do we care about him . Debs is one of the labor leaders at a crucial time and a conflict between labor and capital, but more importantly, he was the central figure in the socialist movement at a time when it was a viable, growing and important part of the american political culture. So is he interesting as a snapshot in time or do you think he has a lasting legacy, do you think . Like many thirdparty candidates he and his fellow socialists managed to move the conversation in very important directions that have affected the development of american democracy ever since. So in that regard he is of his time, but he has also had a long impact on us, as well. We will have time to delve into some of the elections more deeply later on, but of the five bids he made for the white house, are any particularly significant . Two for very different reasons. The 1912 bid represents the high watermark of socialism whe
Led to his first run in the white house at the age of 86. We dont come as the grifters. Our war isnt a war of conflict. Many are fighting in defense of our families, and prosperity. We have traditions, and our traditions have been strong. Our treaties have been disregarded. We have failed and they have mocked we beg no longer. When we speak no. More we petition know more. We defy then we. Confident that we should win. The words of Williams Jenning Brian were coming to from his home and office in the state capital of lincoln, nebraska. Its commonly referred to as fair view because at the turn of the century and give you a fair view of the land. William Jennings Brian and his wife moved here back in 1902. Its now part of the brian lg each Medical Center. Were coming to from the first flow of his parlor. His study is just below us. He did much of his writing and entertaining here in this house and we want to welcome our two guests. Michael casey is a professor of history hes also a author
So, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the kansas city public library. Robert merry, this is his second presentation in the somewhat hallowed halls of the kansas city public library. Five star library this week from the public journal. Thank you. Hes a graduate of the university of washington. He has a masters degree from Columbia University school of journalism. Hes been a reporter for the observer, the wall street journal, managing editor, executive editor and editor in chief of congressional quart ley and more recently, the american conservative. The american conservative, he says its collaborative, but it sounds like robert merry. This is a description of their philosophy. We believe in constitutional government, fiscal prudence, sound monetary policy, clearly delineated borders, authentically free markets and Foreign Policy mixed with diplomatic acuity. We adhere closely to institutional max um, principles over party. One could wish there were more of that kind of true
Explore our nations past. As a Public Service and brought to you today by your television provider. Good evening and welcome to the third installment of cspans contend series. We look at Williams Jennings bryant. What better way to introduce to you the man than hearing directly from him. Heres a portion of the speech that he delivered at the Democratic National convention back in 1896. Its commonly referred to as the cross of gold speech which led directly to his first run at the white house at the age of 36. We do not come as aggressors. Our war is not a war of conflict. We are fighting into our homes, our families and prosperity. We have petitions, and our petitions have been scorned. We treaties and our treaties have been disregarded. We have begged and they have mocked when our calamity came. We beg no longer. We entreat no more. We petition no more. We defy them. We go forth confident that we shall win. The words of William Jennings bryan coming to you from his home in nebraska. I