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Senator Vest's Eulogy on the Dog
"Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a
man has in this world may turn against him
and become his enemy. His son and daughter
that he has reared with loving care may become
ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest
to us, those whom we trust with our happiness
and our good name, may become traitors to
their faith. The money that a man has he may
lose. It flies away from him when he may need
it most. Man's reputation may be sacrificed
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American Humane Education Society
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in a moment of ill considered action. The
people who are prone to fall on their knees
and do us honor when success is with us may
be the first to throw the stone of malice when
failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
one absolutely unselfish friend a man may have
in this selfish world, the one that never deserts
him, the one that never proves ungrateful or
treacherous, is the dog.
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"Gentlemen of the Jury: A man's dog stands
by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and
in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground,
when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives
fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side.
He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, O
he will lick the wounds and sores that come in
encounter with the roughness of the world. He
guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he
were a prince.
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"When all other friends desert, he remains.
When riches take gs and reputation falls to
pieces he is as constant in' his love as the sun in
its journey through the heavens. If fortune
drives the master forth an outcast into the world,
friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no
higher privilege than that of accompanying him,
to guard him against danger, to fight against
his enemies, and when the last scene of all
comes and death takes his master in its embrace
and his body is laid away in the cold ground,
no matter if all other friends pursue their way, O
there by his graveside will the noble dog be
found, his head between his paws and his eyes
sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful
and true even to death."
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Boston
Back:
The dog that called forth this tribute to canine
affection and fidelity was Drum, a foxhound,
owned in Johnson County, Missouri. He was shot
by a man who was later sued for damages by
Drum's owner. Learned counsel were engaged
by both sides and the case was finally tried be-
fore a jury in the State Circuit Court, in 1870.
The late U. S. Senator. George G. Vest made the
closing plea for the plaintiff, the peroration of
which is printed on the reverse side. Court,
lawyers and audience were entranced by it.
Heavy damages were awarded the plaintiff, and
Vest's Eulogy on the Dog stands as the most elo-
quent and touching tribute ever paid to man's
faithful friend.
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