The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-03-09
-c..r IN THE ILLINOIS LEGIsLA'
TUIRE.
speech Of . brave eaa ..
VS. Terrific FhiIPs
Tra4tore.

r. he Illinois Senate lately the fol-
lowing speech was delivered. There have
been more pressntions and iaoofed efforts
during the present war. but none that had
in them more true natural eloquence and
feryent patriotism. We should like to
have seen and heard che old man. The
report is taken from Western paper:
81. A. great sensation was then caused by
. speech delivered by Mr.. Funk, one OF
The riehsst farmers of the State, q man
lyNh6 pays over IS, 900 per annum in tax
.es. eAonarlss the support of the Govern
unent. The lobby and gallery were crowd
ed with spectators. Mr.. Funk rose to
object to trifing revolutions which were
being introduced by the Democrats to
hill time, and stave of . vote upon the
appropriations for the support OF the State
Government. He said:
Mr.. SPEAKER: / can set in my seat no
longer and see such boys play going on.
These men are trifing with the best in
,thsests of the country. They should have
asses ears to set of their heads. or they
are Secessi0nists and traitors at heart.
j say that there are traitors and seces-
sioniskS at heart in this Senate Their
netions prove IL. Their speeches prove
il, Their gibes and laughter and cheers
here nightly, when their speakers get up
in this hall end denonnce the war and the
Administration prove it.
can sit here no longer and not tell
these traitors what t rhfrTk u Ihcur And
while 20 telling them, am responsible
myself for what say. ! stand upon my
own bottom. l am ready to meet any
man on this floor, in any manner, from q
pins point to the mouth of a cannon, up
on this charge against the traitors. Tre-
mendous applause from the galleries.l /
am On old man Of sixty-fvc. i came to
Illinois poor boy. / have made little
something for myself and family. i pay
$4,000 . year IN taxes. / am willing to
pay So, 900, aye SIS, 900 great cheering,
the old gentleman 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 airl, aye. / nm willing to pay my
whole fortune, and then give my life L
save my country fro IN these traitors that
are seeking to destroy it. rTremendou,
cheers and applause. which the Speake
could not subdue.
Mr.; Speaker, you must please excus,
nae. could not cit longer in my sea
aud soslmly listen to these traitors. Nj,
heartthatfeels for my poor country. woul'
not let me. My heart that cries out 70
the lives of our bra We volunteers in tn,
field, that these traitors are destroying b,
thousands. would not let me. My heart
that blseds for the widows and orphan
at home would not let me. Yes, thes
villains and traitors and seeessionists i
this Senate Istriking his clenched fist o
the desk with blow that made the hous
ring again are killing my neighbour boyl
now lighting in the field. l dare to tel
this TO these traitors, to their faces, an
that ] am responsible for what / say |
one and all Of them. Cheersl Ii
them come on, right here. am sixty
FIVE years old, and l have made up m
mind to risk my life right here on thi
floor, for my country. Mr.. Funk stoc
near the lobby railing, his desk being on
of tho row Immediately in front oft.
crowd, As be proceeded, collected aroun
him, evidently with the intention Of pre-
tscting him from violence. if necessary
The last announcement was received Wit
great cheering, and saw many an ey
Assh and many countenanee grow rad
ant with the light Of defiance.
These men snsersd at Col. Mack d.,
Or two ago. He is little man; but
am large man. lam ready to meet an,
Of them, in place 81 Col. Mack. I an
large enough for them, and hold ID ysel
ready for them now, and At any time
Chesu.]
Mr.. Speaker, these traitors on this foo
should be provided with hempen collars
they deserve them. They deserve hang
ing, | ray Craising his voice and violentI
striking the desk, the country woul'
be better of to swing them up. 60 TO
hanging them, and dare tell them SO
right here, to their traitor faces. Trai,
ore should be hung. 1t would be tn
salvation OF the country to hang them
For that reason / would rejoice st it,
Tremendous cheering.l s
MIR. Speaker, beg pardon of the gen
tlemen in the Senate who are not traitors
put true, loyal men, for what have said
! only intend 1t and mean it for secession
lists at heart. They are here in this Sen
ate. l Sec them joke and smirk and cri,
at true Union man. But / DEFY them
] stand here ready for them and ia,
them to come on. Great cheering. J.
What man with the heart of . pstr,u
could stand this treason any lonrerf
have stood 4 loag enough. / viii stan
1t no mora. [Chsen. IdsnSunce the
men and their aiden and abcttors . nm
traitors and secesaioniss. Hell itse
could not spew out . more traitorous ore,
than some OF the men who Disgrace thi
II AZ. Cl~A.