Who delivered the famous "Cross of Gold" speech that captivated delegates and made him the Democratic nominee for president?

The "Cross of Gold" speech was delivered by William Jennings Bryan at the Democratic National Convention in 1896. This speech strongly advocated for the free coinage of silver, which Bryan argued would benefit working-class Americans and those in agrarian sectors who were struggling economically. His passionate oratory captivated the delegates, leading to his nomination as the Democratic candidate for president.

The speech's central metaphor contrasted the struggles of common people with the wealthy elite, using the image of a "cross of gold" to symbolize the burden placed on laborers by the existing gold standard. This resonated deeply with many in the party, especially given the economic hardships of the time, marking Bryan as a unifying figure for the populist movement.

Other figures mentioned, such as John M. Palmer, Grover Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison, did not deliver this speech nor did they play a similar pivotal role in the 1896 convention or its context surrounding monetary policy. Their political positions did not align with the central themes of the "Cross of Gold," thus highlighting Bryan's unique impact on the convention and his subsequent nomination.