Warrensburg in Johnson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Tribute to the Dog
Senator George Graham Vest
— Old Drum 1870 —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 20, 2015
1. Tribute to the Dog Marker
Inscription.
Tribute to the Dog. Senator George Graham Vest.
Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this 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 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 absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous -- is his dog.
Gentlemen of the jury a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and 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 from 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.
From the Trial of Old Drum, Burden v. Hornsby 1870.
Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this 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 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 absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous -- is his dog.
Gentlemen of the jury a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and 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 from 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
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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.
From the Trial of Old Drum, Burden v. Hornsby 1870
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 38° 45.954′ N, 93° 45.015′ W. Marker is in Warrensburg, Missouri, in Johnson County. Marker is on Main Street south of Gay Street, on the right when traveling south. Monument is in front of the Old Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 308 North Main Street, Warrensburg MO 64093, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . 1. George Graham Vest's Tribute to the Dog. Great Speeches Collection website entry (Submitted on July 12, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. George Graham Vest. Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress website entry (Submitted on July 12, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Warrensburg, Missouri, History. City website entry (Submitted on July 12, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 20, 2015
3. Tribute to the Dog Old Drum Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
