“Ol’
Drum”
24/7 Sentry; Johnson County
Court House in Missouri
It’s long been
argued that to find a real friend, “man” or “mankind” need only go to the dogs.
Once there, he’ll find . . . . . . . Yep, “Man’s
best friend”; as we all know this motto / slogan is intended to honor dogs;
generally referring to all breeds as a whole. But did you know the phrase is believed
to have been “coined” by way of a dramatic courtroom speech made by attorney, George
Graham Vest in Warrensburg, Missouri in 1870 who said in part, “The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this
selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves
ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.” The
phrase was, as time passed, shortened to “man’s best friend”.
Born in
Frankfort, Kentucky, Vest was known for his skills in oration and debate. A
lawyer as well as a politician, he served as a Missouri Congressman, a
Confederate Congressman during the Civil War, and finally as US Senator for the great state of
Missouri from 1879 to 1903 (4 six year terms). He is best known for his “a man’s best friend” closing arguments
from a trial that court records show occurred on September 23, 1870.
The following
is all that remains of the famed speech, it was most likely taken from the
court records of the small Missouri town of Warrensburg in Johnson
County, Missouri. Boldly, throughout the
trial, Vest promised that he would “win
the case or apologize to every dog in Missouri.” Most folks were somewhat
surprised when Vest elected to ignore earlier testimony that was given during
the trial; you see, when his turn came to present his final summation to the
jury, he made this speech on behalf of his client; a local farmer who was suing
his brother-in-law for 50 Dollars US (which was the maximum amount he could sue
for such a grievous offence), for damages after allegedly shooting his beloved foxhound
“Old Drum”.
“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”.
This short
address, which is credited for winning the case, is often described
in the category of being powerful, persuasive, motivational and inspirational.
The speech not only reflects excellent powers of oration, it remains famous even
today because it so perfectly describes man’s best friend, the ever faithful dog.
Sources:
http://www.famous-speeches-and-speech-topics.info/famous-short-speeches/george-graham-vest-speech-tribute-to-dogs.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27s_best_friend_%28catchphrase%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Graham_Vest#Old_Drum
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