Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-03-18
An OLD Farmers Speech-Phe Nat
ural EloQuence of PATRIOTISM.

In the Illinois Senate lately, the fol
lowing speech was delivered. Their,
have been more pretentiouS and lahore,
efforts during the present war. but none
that had in them more of true natura
eloquence and fervent patriotism w
should like to have seen and heard the
old man. The report is taken from {
Western paper:
THE GREAT SPEECH OF THE SEAsuN-Tul
TRAITORS LASHED AND DEFiED TO THEiI
TEETH.
A great sensation was then caused by 8
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
The lobby and gallery were crowded with
spectators. Mr.. Funk rose TO object tC
trItiing resolutions, which were being in
troduced by the Democrats to kill time
and stave off a vote upon the appropria
tions for the support of the State Gov
ernment. He said:
Hr. Speaker: | can sit in nv seat nc
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.
say that there are traitors and seces-
sionists at heart in this Senate. Their
actions 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 Administration, prove it.
can sit here no longer and not tell
/ I Al L
And while so telling them, am response
bic myself 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 mouth of a
cannon. upon this charge against these
traitors. Tremendous applause from the
galleries. am an old man of sixty-five.
came to Illinois a poor boy. | have
made little something for myself and
family. pay So, 900 year in taxes.
am willing to pay $4,000, aye $4,000
great cheering the old gentleman bring
ing down his fist upon his desk with a
blow that would knock down a bullock,
and causing the ink-stand to bounce >
half-dozen inches in the air aye, 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. | could not sit longer in my seat,
and calmly listen to these traitors. Nv
heart, that feels for my poor country,
would not let me. My 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. Ny 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 neighbors' boys, now fighting in
the field. | dare 10 tell this to these
traitors, to their faces, and that | am re-
sponsible for what | say to one or all of
them. Cheers. Let them come on.
right here. / am sixty-ive years old,
and have made up my mind to risk my
life, right here, on this floor, for my
country. Mr. Funk stood near the lob
by railing, his desk being one of the row
in front of it. A crowd, as
he proceeded, collected around him. eyi-
IDENTIFY with the intention of protecting
him from violence, if necessary The
last announcement was received with I
great cheering, and saw many an eye
flash, and many countenance grow ra-
diant, with the light of defiance
These men sneered at Colonel Mack, a
day or two ago. He is little man; but
| am large man. l am ready to meet /!
any of them in place Of Colonel Mack
l am large enough for them, and hold |
myself ready for them now and =: 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. |
say. Raising his voice and violently |
striking the desk. The country would |
be better off to swing them up. go for
hanging them, and / dare to tell them so, |
right here, to their traitors faces Trai-
tors should be hung. 1t would be the |
of the country to hang them
For that reason | would rejoice at it
Tremendous cheering.
Mr.. Speaker, beg pardon of the gem
tlemen in the Senate who are not trait
DIS, but true, loyal men, for what have
said. l only intend it and mean it for
secessionists at heart. They are here, in
the Senate. | see them joke: and smirk
and grin at a true Union man. But L
lefy them. | stand here ready for them
ind dare them to come on. [Great
cheering. What man with the heart of
| patriot could stand this treason any
onger? | have stood it long enough
will stand it no more. Cheers | de-
lounce these men and their aiders and
lbettors as rank traitors and secessionists
He'll itself could not spew out more
raltorous crew than some of the men
Who disgrace this Legislature, this State,
md this country. For myself, / protest
Igainst and denounce their reasonable
Icts. | have voted against their meas
Tres. will do so to the end / will de-
lounce them as long as God gives me
,reath. And | am ready to meet the
raitors themselves here. or any where.
nd fight them to the death. Prolonged
heers and shouts.
said paid three thousand dollars a
ear taxes. do not say it to brag of it,
t Is my duty; yes, Mr.. Speaker, my
to do it. But some of the trai-
ors here, who are working night and day
o get their miserable little bills and
laims through the Legislature, to take
money out of the pockets of the people,
re talking about high taxes. They are
lypocrltes as well as traitors. | heard
ONE of them talking about high taxes
his way, who do not pay five dollars to
upport the Government. l denounce
hem as hypocrites as well as traitors
Cheers.
The reason that they pretend to be {
fraid of high taxes is that they do not
7ant to vote money for the relief of the ,
oldiers. They want also to embarrass
he Government and stop the war !
hey want to aid the secessionists to con- |
uer our boys in the field. They care
bout taxes? They are picayune men
ny how. They pay no taxes at all, and {
ever did, and never hope to, unless they
an manage to plunder the Government.