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George Graham Vest  was born on December 6, 1830 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Vest was the son of John Jay Vest and Harriet Graham. He married Sallie Sneed of Danville, Kentucky in 1854.He died on August 9, 1904 in Sweet Springs, Missouri.

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Vest graduated from Centre College in 1848. James Harlan (Kentucky's Attorney General) help Vest study law. He later received a law degree at Transylvania University in 1851.

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Vest became a U.S. Senator of Missouri from 1879 to 1903. He was considered one of the leading debators and oraters in his time.

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The dog's name was 'Old Drum'. The owner of Old Drum was Charles Burden who loved his dog deeply. In the summer of 1870, Old Drum was found dead from a bullet wound. He was found on the property of Leonidas Hornsby, the one who shot the innocent dog and who was also Burden's brother-in-law.

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When he was young, Vest practiced law. In 1870, he went to Owensboro Courthouse to help a man sue another person for killing his dog. He presented this speech when he had to give his summation.

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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.

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After the speech, the jury was intrigued by his speech and it was decided on who had won. It was a unaminous vote, favoring the man who had lost their dog. The other man was originally supposed to give the other $150, but the price increase to $550. This trial is also considered one of Missouri's strangest cases.

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Graham was simply talking about how dogs stay by your side. The good, the bad, dogs will stay by you, even if you are homeless. A dog stays by you when you are hurt or sick, they will do no matter what to make someone happy. A dog will love you, even when you have nothing to offer. When your life falls apart, your dog will always be by your side. Even when one dies, their dog will stay with them and protect the grave that is sacred to them.

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Many people see this speech and realize how much an animal that some fear and hate can love and care. People care more and more for their animal friends than before. Some of those who do fear canines have grown acustommed to them and now love them.

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http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/vest.htm

https://www.leonardmrothfamilylaw.com/Articles/The-Best-Tribute-To-Man-s-Best-Friend.shtml

http://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0401017