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“Old Ring”
- The University Press of Kentucky
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10 Kentucky Lawyer asked him to help him in his trial to following morning at nine o’clock. Ed said, “Well, this is short notice, but what are you charged with?” “Wilful murder,” was the reply. “Man, do you mean to tell me you are going on trial for murder in the morning and are just now getting you a lawyer?” “Oh, no,” said the prospective client, “I’ve got my lawyer, Judge Bethurum, he’ll try the case; but Ed, I want you to come over and sympathize with the jury.” “Old Ring” Notwithstanding his many courthouse battles and his wide law practice for a generation throughout Kentucky, Governor Morrow is probably best remembered for his famous “Old Ring” speech delivered in practically every courthouse in Kentucky from the Big Sandy at the West Virginia border to Mills Point on the Mississippi in his race for governor against James D. Black, the Democratic nominee, in 1919. Back in those days, there wasn’t much issue between the Democratic and Republican parties in local Kentucky politics. The Democratic party was dominant, of course, and when united was unbeatable; but it had been split asunder for several years by the factionalism of the Owsley Stanley and J. C. W. Beckham followers. Governor Stanley had beaten Morrow for governor by only four hundred votes four years before. The time was ripe for a Republican to win if he could find an issue and had the personality and forensic ability to eploit it. Ed Morrow 10 Mac Swinford had the ability and he dug up an issue that literally drove the electorate mad with enthusiasm. A Kentuckian equally, if not to a much greater etent than other Americans, loves his dog. Net to his wife and children the thing closest to his heart is this humble and faithful four footed companion. It is traditional in our state that when the early pioneer came through Cumberland Gap, he carried with him an ae and a Bible, while trotting behind his covered wagon or at his heels was a hound dog. No other race of men take more literally to heart the following words from Senator Vest’s immortal speech: “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.” Master psychologist that he was and with an infinite knowledge of the emotions of his fellow Kentuckians, Ed [52.207.218.95] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 12:45 GMT) 107 Kentucky Lawyer Morrow selected as his issue the repeal of the state law requiring an owner to buy a license for his dog or see the dog impounded by the sheriff and destroyed. Not only was the owner to buy a license but he must impose upon his staunch ally and guardian the onerous burden of wearing a license tag attached to a collar around his neck. To anticipate momentarily the conclusion of this story, when Ed concluded his campaign speaking tour, a collar was the symbol of canine humiliation and embarrassment . His speeches on the repeal of the “Dog Law” are classics in Kentucky political lore. Noted speaker and entertainer that he was, he always attracted a crowd at the county courthouses where he was scheduled to speak in behalf of his candidacy for the office of governor. Some may think that such an issue would appeal to only rural Kentucky, but that proved not true. The speech was received with equal relish in urban communities. It was, however, more adapted to the small town crowds. Aftergettinghisaudiencerelaedbyafewentertaining stories and the usual attack on the opposition for “etravagance and waste of the tapayer’s hard earned money,” he would...