Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-03-06
Scene in the Illionis Legisla.
ture.

SPEECH OF BRAVE OLD L ATRlOT.-
The Springfield correspondent of the Mis-.
souri, Democrat contains the following
account Of an exciting scene in the late
Illinois Legislature:
A great sensation was created by a
speech by Mr.. Funk, one of the richest
farmers in the State, man who pays over
three thousand dollars per annum taxes
toward the support Of the Government
The lobby and gallery were crowded
with spectators. Mr.. Funk rose to object
to triaing resolutions which were being
introduced by the Democrats to kill time
and strive off vote upon the appropriate
ions for the support of the State Govern
ment. He said
Mr.. Speaker-I can sit in my seat no
longer and see such by.play going on
These men are trif!ng with the best in
tercst of the country. They should have
asses ears to set off their heads for they
are traitors and sccessionists at he, IT,
say that there are traitors and seces-
sionists at heart in this Senate. Their
actions prove it, Their speeches prove
it. Their gibcs anl laughter and cheers
here nightly, whea their speakers get up
to denounce the war AMI the Admins
tration, prove it.
can sit here no longer and not tell these
traitors what | think Of them. And
while so telling them, | am responsible,
myself, for what | say. | stand upoa my
own bottom. | am ready to meet any
man on this floor, in any manner, from Il
pins point to the mouth Of cannon,
upon this charge against these traitors
Tremendous applause in the ga le.ies. J
| am an old man Of sixty-fve; l came to
Illinois poor boy have made little
something for myself and family pay
three thousand dollars a year IN taxes.
[ am willing to pay SIX THOUSAND, aye
twelve thousand, great cheering, tie old
gentleman striking the desk with blow
that would knock down bullock, and
causing the ink-stand to fly in the air.
aye, am wiling to pay my whole for
tune, ard then give my life to save my
country from these traitors that are seek
ing to destroy it. Tremendous applause,
which the Speaker could not controI.)
Mr.. Speaker yen must please excuse
mc. could not sit longer in my seat and
calmly listen to these traitors. My heart
that feels for my poor country, would uot
let me. Ny heart, that cries out fof the
lives of our brave volunteers in the field,
that these traitors at home are destroying
by thousands, would not let me. Ny
heart, that bleels for the widow, AMI or
phans at home, would not let me. \ es
these traitors AMI Williams in this Senate
Striking his cIenchel fist on the desk
with a blow that made the Senate ring
asain) are killing my neish5ors' boys now
Ii ghting in the field. dare to say this
to these traitors right here, and am
responsible for what say to any one or
all Of them (Cheers) Let them come
On nov, ritht here. | am sixty-fye
years old, and have made up my mind
to risk my life right here, on this floor,
for M country. Mr. Funk seat IS near
the lobby railing and a crowd collected
around him, eyi!eutly with the intention
Of protecting him from violence, if ne
cessary. The lat announcement was
received with great cheering, AMI l saw
many an eye FASH anl many coantc-
nance grow raI!cnt with the light Of
deliaacc.)
Tncs. men saccrcd at Col. Mack few
days since. lie is d small man. Bat |
am large enough for them, and l hold
myself ready for thom now and at any
tine. CHEERS from the galleries.
Mr.. Speaker, these traitors on the floor
should be provided with hempen Collars
They deserve them. They deserve hang
ing, | say, (raisin5 his voice ami yiolent'y
striking the DESK the country would be
the better Of swinging them up. go
for hanging them, and | dare to tell them
SO, right here to their traitors faces
Traitors should be hung. 1t would be
the salvation Of the country to hang them,
For that reason | must rejoice at it.
irrcmenlous cheering) Mr., Speaker,
| beg pardon Of the gentlemen in this
Senate who are not traitors, but true 10y
al men, for what | have said. | only
intend il, anI mean it for secessionlsts at
heart They are here in this Senate. |
sec them cibe and smirk, AMI grin at a
true L aion man. Must | deny them ?
| stand here ready for them and dare
them to come on. (Grcat cheering. y
What man with the heart OF patriot
could stand this treason any longer? |
have stood it long enough. | Will stand
it no more Cheers | denounce these
men and their aiders and abettors as rank
traitors and secassioul,ts. He'll itself
could not spew out more tratlous crew
than some of the men that disgrace tals
LEGISLATURE, this State, AMI this country.
For myself protest AGAINST AMI de-
nounce their reasonable acts. have
voted against their measures | Will do
50 to the end. | will dcnouuce them as
long as God gives me breath; anl | am
ready to meet the traitors themselves here
or elsewhere and fight them to death
prolonged cheers and sholts,l
said paid three thousands dollars
year taxes. | do not say it to brag Of it
1t is my duty, yes, Mr.. Speaker, my priyI'
lece to do it. Bat some CT these traitor.
here, who are working, night and day tC
put their miserable little bills AMI claim.
through the Legislature to take money
out of the pockets Of the people, are talk
ine about high taxes. They are hypo
critics as well as traitors. L heard some
of them talking about high taxes in thh
way who do not pay 1--WE dollars to th'
support Of the Government. l denounc'