Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-02-27


'' \ great sensation was created by spcect
by Mr.. Funk one of the richest farmers IN the
State, and a man who PAYS over three thousand
dollars per annum taxes toward the support ol
the Government The lobby and gallery were
crowded with spectators. Mr.. Funk rose to oh
iect % trifng resolutions which were being IN
troiucei by the Democrats to kill time and stave
of a vote upon the appropriations for the support
of the state Government He said
Mr.. Speaker can sit in my seat no longer
aud see such by-play going on. These men are
trifins with the best interests Of the country
They should have asses ears to set of their
I heals, or they are traitors AMI sccessionists ~
: heart.
I say that there are traitors and seccsslonlsis
at heart in this Senate. Their actions prove II
Their speeches prove it. Their gibes and laugh
/ ter md cheers here nightly, when their speakers
I get up 10 dencuncs the war and the Admins
trauon, prove H.
can sit here no longer ami not tel thess
/ traitors what | think of them. And while 50
telling them, am responsible, myself. for what
l say. | stand upon my own bottom. am
ready to meet any man on this door, IN ,nJ
manner, from pins point TO the mouth Of a
l cannon, upon this charge against these traitors.
Tremendous applause in the gallsries.)
I am an old man Of siXty-fve; I came to Illinois
poor boy, [ have made little something for
myself and family. pay three thousand dol
lars wear taxes. I am willing to pay six thou
sand, ave twelve thousand. (greet cheering, the
old gentleman striking the desk with blow thst
would knock down a bullock. and oausing the
nkstan1 n ~ in the sir) ave, am willing 70
p7y nv whole fortune and then give my life 10
save my country from these traitors that are
seekin. to destroy IT, Tremendous applause
which the Speaker could not contrcl)
Mr. Speaker, you must please excuse NC.
could not sit longer IN my seat and calmly lister
to these traitors My heart. that feels for ny
poor country. wOull not let me. Ny heart that
cries out or the lives OF our brave volunteers IN
the fell. that these traitors at home are destroy
ing hv thousands would not let me. Ny heart
that blcels lor the widows and orphans at home.
would not let me. es these traitors and vii
lain, in this Senate Striking his clenched fist on
the desk with a blow that made the Senate ring
sgain) are killing my ueighbors' boys, now fight
ins in the field. darc TO say this TO these trs'-
tors right here. and am responsible for what
say 10 any one or all Of them (Cheers.) Let
them come on now. right here am si1ty-dvc
years Old. AMI have made up my mind to risk
my lifc right here, on this floor, for my country
(Mr Funk's seat i near the lobby railing, AMI
a crowd collected around MIN evidently with the
intention of protecting him from violence. il nee
essarv. The last announcement was received
with great cheering, and saw many an eye
fash and many counteuance grow radiant with
the light Of deiiance.l
These men sueerel ~ Col. Mack few day.
since. lie is ; small man. But am large
man am ready to meet any Of them in place
Of Col Mack. am large enough for them. snd
l hold myself really for them now and at any
time (Checrs from the galleries.)
Mr. Speaker, these traitors on this tocr should
he provided with hemPen collars. They deserve
them. They deserve hanging, l say, (uaising
his voice anil violently striking the desk) the
country wouir he the better Tor swinging them
up. ! 60 for hanging them. and | dare tell
them so right here 10 their tr1itorous faces
Traitors should he hung Il woull be the sll-
vaton Of the country To hang them. For that
reason must rejoice at it. (Tremeudous cheer
iHs)
Nlr Speaker beg pardon Of the gentlemen in
thi. senate who are not traitors, but true lovsl
mon. f,r what | have sail | only intend it and
mean It for -ecezscnis,s al heart. They are here
in thi. Senate | see them gihe, and smirk. anil
grin a. truc Union man Must ! defy them
I stanI here really for them AMI dare them 70
come ON. (GrCat cheCring.) What man with
the heart o, a pItriot could stand this tresson
suv longer, have stood it long enough
viii stand It M more. Cheers. | dcnounce these
men and their aiders and abettors rank trait
Or and scccssinnists Hell itself could not spew
ont more trsitorous crew than some Of the men
that disgrace this Legislature, this State snl
this country. For myself protest against anil
dcnouncc their reasonable acts / have voted
against their measures; I viii do 50 10 the snd
| viii dcnounce them rs long as God gives me
breath, sud l am really 10 meet tho traitor,
thcnsclves here or anywhere, and fight them TO
the death. (ProlouSed cheers and shouts.
ssd paid three thousand dollars syear
take. do not say it to brag Of It. Il is my
duty. yrs, Mr. Speaker, my privilege, 70 do II.
But some cf these traitors here, who are work
ing night aud day 20 put their miserable little
bill, and claims through the Legislature, 20 take
money out of the pockets Of the people, are
talking about high taxes. They are hypocri;e,
a. well a. traitors | heard some Of them talk
ing about high taxes in this way who do not pav
five dollars to the support of the Government
dcnounce them as hvpocrites ss well as traitors
(Cheersl
The reason they pretend 70 be afraid Of high
taxes j. that they 10 not want to vote money for
the relief II the sclliers. They want TO embar-
rass the Government and stop the war. They
want O. sid the scccssionists 10 conquer our bovs
in the fell. They care about high taxes They
are Picavuuc men. anyhow, and pay no taxes At
all. and never dill, and never hope or ex-
poet To-. This Is an excuse Of traitors. {Checrs)
Mr.. Speaker; Excuse me. feel for my
country. in this her hour Of danger, from the
the reason | speak DO | cannot help it
! am bound 10 tell these men to their teeth what
they arc. aud what the people. the true loyal
people, think OF them. tremendous cheering
The speaker raped upon his desk, apparently
10 stop it, but really To add TO its volume, for
could see by his flushed cheek and flashing eve
that his heart was with the brave and loyal oil
gentleman.)
Mr. Speaker. | have sad my say. am ~
= II. =.
and do not know that it deserves TO be callei
speech could not 1T still any longer and these
seoun,lrels and traitors work out their hellish
schemes to destroy the Union. They have my
sentiments; let them one and all make the most
Of them am ready to back up al say, anil
| repeat Il. 10 meet these traitors in any manner
they may cho,,,e from pins point to the mouth
u a ctunou. tremendous applause, during
which the oil gentleman sat down, after he hart
given the iesks parting whaek, which soundci
loud above the lin Of cheer, and clapping Of
hands.
never before witnessed - much excitement
in an assembly. Mr.. Funk spoke with force
Of natural coguence. with a conviction and
tiuthfuness, with f,rvor and pathos which
wrought up the galleries and even members on
the floor to the highest pitch Of excitement. Hi>
voice was hcarl in the stores that surround the
square. and the people came hocking in from all
quarters. Ia hive minutes he had an audiencc
that packed the hall otis utmost capacity After
he hal concluded the Republican members and
spectators r,ishe-i up and took him by the hanj
to congratulate him The Democrats said moth
ms. but evidently felt the esstigation they
were receiving most keenly, as might be seen
from their blanchel checks and restless aud
uneasy slsnccs '
THT lssrE or SHINFLSsTEEs.-Our attention Is
called to tho fact that quite a number Of banks
in Vermont and other States, generally those
least entitled to credit, have commenced issuing
fractional currency II is suggested that Gov
ernmcnt should lay 50 heavy a tax On such IS
sues. as to put stop to them 81 oncc---Nts
York Tribune
We were not aware that any other Bank
IN this stat. than the Bank Of Woodstock.
- - l & Il L,Ilc md thaf Eant h.