The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-02-25
A REMARKABLE SPEECH.
Bold Denunciation of Copperheads
in the Illinois Legislature.

On the last day of the Illinois Legisla-
ture, Mr.. Funk, Senator from Mclean
county, delivered a speech, which is thus
described and reported by the Springfield
correspondent of the Chicago Tribune
The Great Speech Of the Season-the
Traitors Loshed and deted to their
Teeth
A great sensation was caused by a
speech delivered by Mr. Funk, one of the
richest farmers of the State, man who
pays over 5000 per annum IN taxes to-
ward the support of the Government
Tie lobby and gallery were crowded
with spectators. Mr. Funk rose to object
to trifiing resolutions which were being
introduced by the Democrats to kill time,
and stave off vote upon the appropria-
tions for the support of the State Govern
ment He said:
Mr. Speaker: | can sit in my seat no
longer and see such boys play going on.
These men are trifing with the best in
terests of the country. They should
have asses ears to set off their heads, or
they are Secessionists and traitors at
heart
Il say that there are traitors and Sc
cessionists in this Senate. Their ac--
tions prove it. Their speeches prove it.
Their gibes and laughter and cheers here
nightly, when their speakers get up in
this hall and denounce the war and the
A@ainistratieEs prove .it.--4--.-,.as. - .
~ can sit here no longer and not tell
these traitors what l thi nix of them And
while so telling them l am responsible
myself for what | say. l stand upon my
own bottom. | am ready to meet any
man on this floor, in any manner, from a
pins point TO the mouth of cannon,
upon this charge against these traitors.
Tremendous applause from the CALLER
les. l am an old man Of 65. | came
to Illinois poor boy. | have made a
little something for myself and family.
pay So, 900 year in taxes. am will
ing to pay 5000 aye $4,000, [great
cheering, the old gentleman bringing
down his fist upon his desk with blow
that would knock down a bullock, and
causing the inkstand to bounce a half
dozen inches in the air, aye, 1 am
willing to pay my whole fortune, and
then give my life to save my country
from these traitors that are seeking to
destroy it. Tremendous cheers and ap.
plause, which the Speaker could not sub
due
" Mr.. Speaker, you must please excuse
me. l could not sit longer in my seat,
and calmly listen to these traitors. Ny
heart, that feels for my poor country,
would not let me. Ny heart, that cries
out for the lives of our brave volunteers
in the field, that these traitors at home
are destroying by thousands, would not
let me- My heart that bleeds for the
widows and orphans at home, would not
let me- Yes, these villains and traitors
and secessionistS in this Senate striking
his clenched fist on the desk with blow
that made the house ring again are kill
ing my neighbor's boys, now fighting in
the field. l dare to tell this to those
traitors, to their faces, and that l am re-
sponsible for what | say to one or all OF
them. Cheers. Let them come on,
right here. | am sixty-fve years old,
and have made up my mind to risk my
life right here, on this floor, for my coun-
try. Mr. Funk stood near the lobby
railing, his desk being one Of the row i'm
mediately in front of it. A crowd, as he
proceeded, collected around him, evi-
IDENTITY with the intention of protecting
him from violence, if necessary
The last announcement was received
with great cheering, and l saw many an
eye flash, aud many countenance grow
radiant with the light of defiance.
"These men sneered at Col Mack, a
day or two ago. He is little man; but
l am large man. am ready to meet
any of them, in place of Col. Mack. l
am large enough for them, and l hold
myself ready for them now, and at any
time. [Cheers from the galleries.
:" Mr.. Speaker, these traitors on this
floor should be provided with hempen
collars. They deserve them. They de-
serve them. They deserve hanging, l
say. Raising his voice and violently
striking the desk. The country would
be better off to swing them ap. | 60 for
hanging them, and dare to tell them so,
right here, to their traitors faces. Trait.
ors should be hung. 1t would be the
salvation of the country, to hang them.
For that reason l would rejoice at it.
Tremendous cheering
"Mr. Speaker, l beg pardon of the
gentlemen in the Senate who are not
traitors, but true, loyal men, for what
have said only intend it and mean it
for Secessionists at heart They are