"Eulogy on the Dog" One of the most famous speeches, ever made by the late Senator George G. Vest, of Missouri, was made in the course of a trial of a man, who wantonly shot a dog belonging to a neighbor. Senator Vest represented the plaintiff, who demanded $200.00 damages. When Senator Vest finished speaking, the Jury, after two minutes deliberation, awarded the plaintiff the sum of $500.00
The full text of the speech follows:
- Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man may have in this world may turn against him, and become his enemy. His son, or his 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 unselfish friend that a 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 sores and wounds that come encounter 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 is in its journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives his master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege, than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in it's embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all friends pursue their way, there by his graveside, will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alter watchfulness, faithful and true, even unto death.