The Transitive Property of Empire

We know, we know this was supposed to be about U.S. history. So, what are we doing throwing some math and logic concepts into this biz? Sit tight, there's a totally logical explanation for this.

Bryan pulls the old switcharoo in his "imperialism" speech. And he does it using the Transitive Property of Equality. That's the one that goes like this:

If A = B
And B = C
Then A= C

There's no real structure to his speech, but Bryan wanted to convince his listeners that there was a moral justification for his arguments. He didn't want to totally scare off those Separation of Church and State folks by shooting out a religious argument right off the bat. No, he slowly and meticulously begins the speech by focusing politics and ethics. But the next thing you know, he has completely flipped the switch and transitioned to a moral argument. It's all on purpose.

Bryan knew how to kill it when it came to speeches. And like any good assassin, he did so with intent and methodical precision.

How it Breaks Down

We already know that Bryan splatters his entire speech with a ton of anti-Republican Party and anti-pro-imperialist talk. But it's the structure that really proves he's one sneaky kitten.

If A = B

Like we mentioned above, Bryan didn't want to dive right into the deep end by starting off his talk with religion. Instead, he dips his toes in first by appealing to what every patriotic American could agree on: that America is great.

He stated that:

Our whole history has been an encouragement not only to the Filipinos, but to all who are denied a voice in their own government. (24)

In other words, America rocks. He's bragging that we got so many things right over the years: politics, religion, and government. You name it. Even the Filipinos want to be like us.

In other words, Politics in America = Totally the Best Ever. And everyone knows it...

…except for Republicans. According to Bryan, Republicans hate everything, including puppies and candy canes. He followed that statement up with this one:

If the republicans are prepared to censure all who have used language calculated to make the Filipinos hate foreign domination, let them condemn the speech of Patrick Henry. When he uttered that passionate appeal, "Give me liberty or give me death," he expressed a sentiment which still echoes in the hearts of men. (24)

Even when he's giving the United States one of the best compliments ever, he still couldn't pass up an opportunity to tear into the Republican Party. Brutal.

And B = C

Okay, so Bryan spends the first part of his speech showing how the U.S. is the coolest kid in school—and he's really into American politics. But then Bryan asks, "You know who's another cool American politician? Thomas Jefferson."

Read for yourself:

Every one [sic] recognizes the obligation imposed upon individuals to observe both the human and the moral law, but as some deny the application of those laws to nations, it may not be out of place to quote the opinions of others. Jefferson, than whom there is no higher political authority, said: "I know of but one code of morality for men, whether acting singly or collectively." (59-60)

The point here is that Bryan wants to equate American politics with moral righteousness. This is the equation that he is starting to come up with:

Politics in America = Totally the Best Ever = Angelic and Saintly

Throughout this section Bryan keeps making associations between the ethics of American politics and religious morality, or what he keeps calling "moral law." The reason Jefferson (and the other Founding Fathers) was such a rockstar, according to Bryan, was that he understood the connections between morality and political righteousness.

(FYI, Bryan was deeply religious and his reading of Jefferson is definitely one of a religious man. Others might and have read his work very differently.)

Then A= C

By the last section of Bryan's speech, he goes for the religious jugular. Calling the Republican Party the wrong political choice is one thing, but saying that they are evil is a realm onto itself. Now, Bryan has made this a logical conclusion:

Politics in America = Angelic and Saintly

The conclusion he was really trying to make was that anti-imperialism's not only the right political thing to do, but the morally right thing to do. Or, in other words, the Democratic Party's both correct in their stance on the Philippines…and they're all making it through those Pearly Gates when they die.