“A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness,” expressed George Graham Vest in September of 1870 (Vest). These sentimental words were used by Vest described as a universal appeal to many dog-lovers, therefore establishing its popularity as a famous American speech. It all started four years after the Civil War and farming in Missouri began to replace the war-destroyed land. Including, the rise of Leonidas Hornsby’s family owned business of farming and herding sheep. It was difficult to maintain business due to prowling dogs, so the Hornsby family threatened to shoot any dogs that stepped a paw into their property. Unfortunately, Old Drum, a prized hound owned by Charles Burden, mistakenly roamed into Hornsby’s land and was shot. Burden did not want Hornsby to get away with the murder of Old Drum, therefore Burden sued Hornsby, in the court case of Burden v. Hornsby. However, throughout the trial, Hornsby was seen as not guilty and in favor of the jury. Until Vest (Burden’s attorney) addressed his closing remarks of “Eulogy of the Dog,” moved the jury to be complimentary with Burden, and earned him well-deserved justice for Old Drum. Through the tragic death of Old Drum, provoked Vest to addresses to his audience of the jury …show more content…
He was a part of the Confederate Congress; after the Civil War ended, he practiced law and was elected to the Senate as a Democrat, where he served for 24 years. His shift of political parties indicated his change of beliefs in political policies, implementing the leniency of his actions to represent Burden in the occurrence of his dog. He developed liberal views on animal rights, exemplifying that he believed the compensation of fees was necessary due to a murder of an animal. Just like, in the case of the shooting of Old Drum, it made him concerned on the immorality of the event. Vest felt obligated to win justice for the death of Old