Tribute to the Dog

[W!nston]

George Graham Vest - Tribute to the Dog

George Graham Vest (1830-1904) served as U.S. Senator from Missouri from 1879 to 1903 and became one of the leading orators and debaters of his time. This delightful speech is from an earlier period in his life when he practiced law in a small Missouri town. It was given in court while representing a man who sued another for the killing of his dog. During the trial, Vest ignored the testimony, and when his turn came to present a summation to the jury, he made the following speech and won the case.

Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove 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, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to 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.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where 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. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, 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 in 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, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.

George Graham Vest - c. 1855

SOURCE: The History Place

From Wikipedia:

George Graham Vest (December 6, 1830 – August 9, 1904) was a U.S. politician. Born in Frankfort, Kentucky, he was known for his skills in oration and debate. ... He is best known for his "a man's best friend" closing arguments from the trial in which damages were sought for the killing of a dog named Old Drum on October 18, 1869.

We watched an episode of Death Valley Days (TV series from the 1960s) tonight that reminded me of the recent passing of one of my close Gay Heaven friend's beloved companion of 10+ years.

Ronald Reagan performed as George Vest and gave his famous Tribute To The Dog speech from October 18, 1869. You may notice the speech Reagan gives here is revised ever so slightly which enhances the effect of the words on the listener.

The combination of my friend's companion's passing and Ronald Reagan's ability to stir the emotions of listeners brought me to ... well, you know.

If you have a heart you will be moved by this short clip.

Reagan really knew how to give a speech.

Ronald Reagan Tribute to the Dog 1964



In this 1964 episode of Death Valley Days, Ronald Reagan portrays Senator George Graham Vest (1869) in his tribute to the dog.​

 

[Shelter]

Wow Sniffit - what a beautiful post! Thank you so much for it! I just embraced my Buddy - and he looked at me and didn't really know what happened. But he saw my tears and licked at once my hand and face.

A great speach full of empathy!

 

[gb2000ie]

I'm not even a Dog lover and that got me all teary-eyed - beautiful!

B.

 

[cacc]

That's beautiful and so true

 

[Shelter]

I'm not even a Dog lover and that got me all teary-eyed - beautiful!

B.

Hi GB - sorry but Buddy has looked at my screen and read what you have written. He lifted his chaps, chuntered, shaking his head, walked away and his eyes asked me: Why he will not love me? p:heart:

 

[boy10]

Nice doggies.

 

[zachak]

Great dogs!!

 

[jrr22]

I look in wonder at all the things man has done with his time on earth. Travel by air, light to dispel the darkness, walks on the moon, elimination of diseases (not all of course), computing machines of extreme power, and so much more. Yet, with all that in mind, nothing in my opinion, comes close to the domestication of the dog. A feat that may never be surpassed.