Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-02-27
SCENE IN THE ILLINOIS LEGISLA-
TURE

of an exciting scene in the late Illinois Legis-
lature
"a great sensation was created by a speech by Mr.
Funk, Of the riohcst farmers In the State, man
who pays three thousand dollars per annum taxes
toward the support Of the Government The lobby and
gallery croNded with spectators Mr. Funk rose
to object uihng resolutions which we're being intro
duced BY the democrats to Kill time and save of vote
upon the appropriations for the support Of the State
Government lie said
MIR Speaker can sit in my scat longer and zee
such by play going These men rifng with the
best interests Of the country They should have asses
to set of their heads, they are traitors and
say that there are traitors and secessionsts At heart
in this Senate. Their actions prove it, Their speeches
prove IT, Their gibes and laughter and cheers here
nightly when Their speakers Bet up To denounce me war
and the Administration, prove IT.
sit here no longer and not tell these traitors
what think u them: And while so telling them | am
responsible myself, for what say. stand upon my
own bottom. am ready to meet any on this floor,
in any manner from pms point to nc mouth OF can
non, upon this charge against these traitors (1renend
Gus applause in the galeries) I am old man Of
siIty-fve; | came to Illinois poor boy have made
little sonnet thing for myself and family. | pay three
thousand dollars year in taxes. l am willing to pay
ak thousand aye twelve thousand (great cheering the
old gentleman striking the desk with blow that would
knock down bullock and causing the ink stand to Ay
ana ar c SBs sys e % RSy cSnn rs7s o Egse
traitors that seeking 10 destroy IT. Tremendous APP
pause which the Speaker could not coutrol)
Mr. Speaker, you must please excuse me, could not
81, longer my and calmly listen 20 these traitors
NV htart that cries out for the lives our brave volun
teers in the field that traitors home destroy
ing by thousands would not let me. My heart, that
bleed for the widows and orphans at home would not
let me Yes these traitors aud villains in this Senate
striking his olenched st ON the desk with blow that
made the Senate ring again Are killing my neighbours
these right here. sixty five years old, and
have made up min t" risk my lie light here, ON
this foor Tor inl country (Mr hunks sra is The
lobby railing aud a crowd collected around him, evi.
denty with The intention Of pfoieo ing hm from VIC
lenee il necessary The last announcement was received
with great cheering and saw many an eye fash and
many counienAnce grow radiant with the hsht Of de
nee
IL a small But am a large man. am ready ,C
meet any OF them IN place OF Col Mack sm lars'
enough for them. aud hold myself ready for them nov
and al any time. CHEERS from thegalleres)
Mr. Speaker, these traitors on this floor should b.
provided with hempen collars lhei deserve them
They deserve hanging say, (raising his voice and vic
enty striking the desk) he country would be the bette
q swinging them up go for hanging them aud
Traitors should be hung IL would he the salvation o
the country u hang tham For thal reason must re
Mr. spcake, beg PARDON Of The gentlemen in this
SENATE who traitors bo, true loyal men, tor ha
have said only intend u and mean 4 for secession
gibe, and smirk aud grin alta true Union man Mus
| defy them stand here ready for them aud dar
them to (Gfeat cheering.l What man will
the hear OF patron could stand his longer
have stood 1t long enough. will stand it no more
(Cheeis) / denounee these men aud their alders an
Abettors as rank traitors and secessionsts Hell tse
could spew out more raitorous crew than some
the men that disgrace this legislature this state an
this county. For myself protests gans aud denouno
'heir reasonable acts have voted against their nea
: sures will do the end Will denounce them
- long as God gives me breath and am ready 70 NEE
the traitors hem elves here anywhere and hght ther
H 10 the death. prolonged cheers and shou's)
: 1 said paid three u uusand dollars year taxes.
do not say 1t TO orag Oft II - my duty yes, MI
i speaker my privilege do It. But some Of these
tors here, VINO working night and day put the
miserable LILLE bills and claims through the Legislature
take money out Of the pockets Of the people ab
Il ing about high taxes They are hypocrtes as well
traitors heard some Of them taking about high taxi
g in this way who do pay 1--we dollars to the support
y the Government denounce tntm ashypocrilcs as we
as traitors lCheers.l
The reason they pretend TO be afraid Of high taxes
thatthey do not wan, to oney for the relief Of Il
A soldiers They want to embarrass the Government M
stop the They 10 AID the secessiUniats TO
quer boys 10 the field They about nigh taxes
e they pieayune any how and pay no taxes
II ALL and never did and never hope or expect TO- THIS
~ an excuse Of traitors Cheers
a Mr.. Speaker Excuse me. feel for my country
this her hour Of danger fom the tips Of my toes to Il
= ends Of my hair, hat IS the reason speak as l d
- cannot help L. am bound To tell these men 10 the
teeth what they aud what the people, the true 10y
Speaker raped upon his desk AppRteny stop il, b
10 really add to It's volume tot could BY his hnsh
check and flashing that his heart was with the bra
Mr. Speaker; have said my say. am no speakc
Thisis the only speech have made and do not kno
that It deSerses to be called speech 1 could not
~ still any longer and these scoundres aud trao
or wok oat Their heliish schemes to destroy the Union
IL They have my sentiments let them one and all ma
the most OF them. am ready 10 back up ali say, al
N repeat IL, TO meet these traitors any manner III
VIC may ehuote iiom 70 ~
al tremendous applause, during which the old genuemI
down after he had given the desk parting vhao
le which sounded loud above the din Of cheers and ella
plug OF hands ..
I'll / never before Witnessed 40 much excitement in
Oh assembly. Mr. Funk spoke with force of natuai 81
ID quence, with conviction and rpthfulness. with es
; and path0s wrought up the galleries aud even mel
bers On the hoot TO the highest pitch Of excitement
vi voice heard in the stores that surround the squa
aud the people came Aocking in from all qsAIleIs.
Eve minutes he had an audience thst packed the hal
u its utmost capacity After he had concluded the
ue
NJ hun BY the hand 10 congratulate him. The Demoer'
said nothing but evidently ie the castigauon they We
a. receiving most keenly, might be seen from TIL
blanehed cheeks and restless aud uneasy glAnoes