Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-03-26
An Old Farmers Speech.

er and see such boys play going on. These
men are trilljng with the best interest of the
country They should have asses ears to set
off their heads, for they are secessionists and
traitors at heart. aE.4
| say that there are traitors and secession
lists at heart 10 this Senate. Their actions
prove it, Their speeches prove it. Their
gibes and laughter aud cheers here nightly,
when their speakers get up in this hall and de-
nounce the war aud the administration, prove
it. -......F. ...t .-
| can sit here no longer aud not tell these
traitors what | think of them And while so
telling them, | am responsible for what say
| stand upon my own bottom. | am ready to
meet any man on this floor, in any manner,
from pins point to the noath Of cannon,
upon this charge against these traitors. IRE.
mendons applause from the galleries | am
an old man of sixty five. | came to Illinois
poor boy. | made little something for my
self and family, pay $4,000 year in taxes
am willing to pay $4,000 aye $4,000,
[great cheering the old man bringing down
his fist upon his desk with blow that would
knock down bullock, and causing the ink
stand to bounce half dozen inches in the
air, aye, am willing to pay my whole fortune,
oud tLitli ElNC NY itlC W SuFC NY
from these traitors that are seeking to destroy
it. Tremendous cheering and applause, which
the Speaker could net snbdue
Mr., Speaker, yOu must please excuse me-
| conld not sit longer in my seat, and calmly
iston to these traitors My heart, that feels
for my country, would not let me-My
heart, that cries out for the lives of our brave
volunteers in the field, that these traitors at
hone are destroying by thousands, would not
let me. Yes these Williams and traitors and
secesSioniStS in this Senate striking his clench-
ed fists on the desk with blow that made
the house ring again] are killing my neigh
bors' boys, now iigh!ng in the field. | dare
to tell this to these traitors, to their faces,
and then ] am responsible for what say to
one and all of them Cheers Iaet them
come on, right here. | am sxty-fve years
old, and have made up my mind to risk my
life right here, On this floor, for my country.
Mr.. Funk sto0n near the lobby railing his
desk being one of The row Immediately in front
of it. A crowd, as he proceeded, collected
around him, evidently with the intention OF
protecting him from violence, if necessary
The last announcement was received with
cheering, and | saw many an eye fash, and
many countenance grow radient with the
light of defiance.
These men sneered at Col Mack, a day or
two ago. He is little man, but am large
man. I am. ready te meet any of them |
am large enough for them, and | hold myself
ready for them now, aud at any time Cheers
from the galleries,
Mr. Speaker these traitors on this floor
should be provided with hempen collars
Il lo,
say. Raising his voice aud violently strik-
ing the desk. The country would be better
of to swing them up. so for hanging them,
and ! dare tell them soa right here to their
traitorouS faces Traitors should be hung
1t woud be the salvation CT the country to
hang them. For that reason [ would re-
joice at it. Tremendous cheering
Mr.. Speaker, | beg pardon of the gentle
men in the SeEate who are not traitors, but
true loyal men, for what have said. only
Intend it and mean it for secessioniSts at heart.
They are here in this Senate | see them
joke. and smrk and grin at true Uuion man.
But | defy them stand here ready for them
and dare them to come on. Great cheering
What man with the heart of a patriot could
stand this treason any longer have stood
it long enough. | will stand it no more
Cheers | denOuuce these men and their
aders and abettorS as rank traitors, secession
lists. Hell itself could not spew oat more
traitorous crew than some of the men who dis
grace this Legislature, this State and this
country. For myself, | protest against and
denOunce their reasonable acts | have vot-
ted against their measures. will do SO to the
end. | will denounce them as long as Con
gives me breath. And | am ready to meet
the traitors thems selves, here or anywhere, and
fight them to death Prolonged cheers and
shouts
said paid three thousand dollars year
taxes. | do not say it to brag of it. 1t is
my duty, Mr.. Speaker, my privilege to do it.
But some traitors here, who are working night
and day to get their miserable little bills and
claims through the Legislature, to take money
of the pockets of the people, are talking about
high taxes. They are bypocrites as well as
traitors. | heard some of them talking about
high taxes in this who do not pay FIVE dollars
to support the Government | denounce them
as hypocrites as well as traitors. [Cheers:l
The reason that they pretend to be afraid
Of high taxes is that they do not want to vote
money for the relief of soldiers They want
also to embarrass the Government and stop
the war. They want to aid the secessionists
to conquer our boys in the field 1Hey care
about taxes Z They are picayune men, any
how. They pay no taxes at all and never
did, and never hope to, unless they can man
age to punder the Government. Cheers
This is an excuse of traitors
Here the Speaker called for order in the
galleries) H-. a..
Mr. Speaker, excuse me- feel for my
country in this her hour of danger fell for
her from the tips of my toes to the ends of
my hair. This is the reason speak, as Lido.
| cannot help it. am bound to tell these
men to their teeth what they are, and what
the people, the true loyal people thfhk70f them.
Tremendous cheering. The Speaker raped
upon the desk in unison with the applanses,