Bryan On City-Building

Yesterday, ColumbusGuy noted that back in the 1800s, people used to rebuild cities without federal help. That reminded me of something.

Listen to this, from one of the most famous political speeches in American history, William Jennings Bryan's "Cross Of Gold" oration:

I tell you that the great cities rest upon these broad and fertile prairies. Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic. But destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country.

So there you have it, nothing to worry about. Take care of the farmers and the cities will do just fine. (Of course, Bryan's speech is a classic example of political paranoia, but let's not get stuck on technicalities.)

Columbus Guy says: Why are you hammering Bryan? We've done exactly what he said.