(HC) The excerpt below comes from a speech given by William…

(HC) The excerpt below comes from a speech given by William Jennings Bryan in 1896:”Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.”Which statement explains Bryan’s reason for giving this speech?