Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-04-04
A ssbtaving" Speech in tho Illinois Legis.
pfg. lature.

The schemes Of the Copperheads in the H.
lnois Legislature were completely defeated by
tho able management Of the minority in the
SEM They--the Copperheads Aforesaid
loststheir peace resolutions, their Board of
Army Auditors, their legislative apportion-
ment, aud, in fact, every pet scheme Of the
party, while all the necessary appropriation
bilk were passed. Towards the close Of tho
session great sensation wssSfs1eea N the
House by speech delivered by Mr.. Funk Of
Mclean, one Of the richest farmers in the
State. The Springfield correspondent of the
St. Louis Democrat gives the following
graphic account of the speech and the scene
A great sensation was created by speech
by Mr.. Funk, one of the richest farmers in
the State, a man who pays over three thou
sand dollars per annum taxes toward the sup.
port 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 Demo-
Gratis to kill time and stave off a vote upon
tho appropriations for the support of the
State Government. He said:
"Mr Speaker, can sit in my seat no
longer and see such by-play going on. These
men are triaing with the best interests of the
country. They should have asses ears to
set Of their heads, or they are traitors and
Seccssionists at heart say that there are
traitors and Seccssionists at heart in this Sem
ate Their actions prove it. Their speeches
prove il. Their gibcs and laughter and
cheers here nightly, when their speakers get
up to dcnounce the war and the Administra-
tion, prove it. l can sit here 10 longer and
not tell these traitors what think of them.
And while so telling them. am responsible,
myself, for what say. stand upon my
own bottom. am ready to meet any man
on This floor in any manner, from pin's point
to the mouth Of cannon, upon this charge
against these traitors. Tremendous applause
from the galleries. l am an old man of six
ty-hve. came to Illinois n poor boy. have
nadca little something for myself and family.
pay three thousand dollars year in taxes.
| an willing to pay six 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 fly in the air Aye am willing to
pay my whole fortune and then give my life
to save my country from these traitors that
arc seeking to destroy it. Tremendous ap-
|
MIR. Speaker, you must please excuse me. l
could sit no longer i'll my scat and calmly lis
ten to these traitors. My heart, that feels for
my poor country, would not let Inc. My
heart, that cries out for the lives of our brave
volunteers in the field, that these traitors at
homo are destroying by thousands. would not
let me. Yes, these traitors and villains in this
Senate striking his clenchetd fist on the desk
with blow that made the Senate ring again]
are killing my ncighbors' boys, now fighting
in tho field. l dare to say this to these trait
ors right right here, and l am responsible for
what l say to any one or all of them.
Cheers. Let them come on now. right here.
i am sxty.iive years old. and have made
up my mind to risk my life right here, on this
floor, for my country'. Mr.. Funk's seat is
near the lobby railing. and crowd collected
around him, evidently with the intention Of
protecting him from violence, if necessary.
The last announcement was received with
great cheering, and saw many an eye fash
and many countenance grow radiant with
the light of defiance. These men sneored
at Colonel Mack few days since. He is q
small man. But am large man. am
ready to meet any of them in place OF Colonel
Mack. l am large enough for them. and l
hold myself ready for them now and at any
time. Cheers from the galleries MIR.
Speaker, these traitors on this floor should be
provided with hempen collars. They deserve
them. They deserve hanging. ! say rails
lug his voice aud violently striking the desk /;
tho country would b. the better Of swinging
them up. ! go for hanging them, and l dare
to tell them so. right here. to their traitorous
faces. Traitors should be hung. 1t would
be the salvation of the country to hang them.
For this reason must rejoice at it. fire
mcndors cheering.] Mr.. Speaker. beg par
don of the gentlemen in this Senate who are
not traitors, but true. loyal men, for what
have said. only intend it aud mean it for
Secessionists at heart. They arr here in this
Senate. SEQ them gibe, and smirk and
grin at true Union man. Must defy them
| stand here ready for them and dare them to
come on. Great cheering.] What man
with the heart of patriot could stand this
treason any longer2 have stood it long
enough. Twill stand it no longer. Cheers.
denounce these mon rs their aides and
ahettors, us rank secessionists and traitors
He'll itself could not spew out more traitor
ous crew than some of tho men that disgrace
this Legislature. this State, and this country.
For myself protest against aud denounce
their reasonable acts. have voted against
their measures will do 90 to the end. I
will denounce them as long as God gives me-
breath and I am ready to meet the traitors
themselves here or anywhere, and fight them
to the death. Prolonged cheers and shouts.
said paid three thousand dollars year
taxes. I do not say it to brag Of it. 1t is
my duty-yes. Mr.. Speaker. my privilege to
do it. But some of these traitors here, who