George Graham Vest, "A Tribute to Dogs"
"A Tribute to Dogs"
by George Graham Vest
"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, but when his turn came to present a summation to the jury, he made the following speech and won the case:
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
- http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/vest.htm
- http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/vest.htm
0 Response to "George Graham Vest, "A Tribute to Dogs""
Post a Comment