Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-02-24
Scene in the Illinois Legislature-sDeech
OF Brave Old Patriot.

The Springfield correspondence of the Missouri
Democrat contains the following account of an
exciting scene i'll the late Illinois Legislature -
A great sensation was created by speech by
Mr., Funk, one OF the richest faime.s in the
State, man who pays over three thousand dol
Lars per annum tn xes towards the support of the
Government. The lobby and gallery were spec
tators. Mr.. Funk rose to object to triflng re-
solutions which were being introduced by the
Democrats, to kill time aud stave off q vote upon
the appropriations for the support of the Slate
Government. He said;-
Mr.. Speaker can sit in my seat no longer
ana see such by play going on. These men are
triiiing with the best interests of the country
They should have asses ears 10 set off their
heads, for they are traitors and secessonists at
heart. | say that there ARE traitors aud Seces-
eioDists al heart in this Senate. Their actions
prove it, Their speeches proveit. Their gibes.
and laughter, and cheers here nightly, when
their speakers get up to deuounce the war and
the administration, prove 1t.
can sit here no longer and not tell these trail
tors what ! think of them. Aud while so telling
them, ! am responsible myself, for what saw.
stand upon my own bottom. | am ready 10
meet any man on this tlOOr, in any manner, from
Il pms point to the mouth of a cannon, upon this
charge against these traitors tremendous ap-
plause in the galleries.) l am an old man OF
sixty five; l came TO Illinois poor boy
have made little something for myself and
family l. pay three thousand dollars year in
taxes. am willing to pay six thousand, aye
twelve thousand, (gteat cheering, the old gentle
man striking the desk with a blow that would
knock down q 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 traitora who are seeking to
destroy it. (premendu US applause, which the
Speaker could not control
Mr. Speaker, you must please excuse me,
could not sit longer in my seat and calmly listen
to these traitors My heart that feels for NV
poor country, would not let me My heart, that
cries out for our brave volunteers in the
held that these traitors at home are DESTROYING
BY thousands, would not LEI me. My heart, that
bleeds for The widows and orphans at home,
would not let me Yes, these traitors and villains
in this Senate (striklng his clenched fist on the
desk with blow that made the Senate ring
again are killing my neighbors' boys, now fight
ing IN the held. dare to say this is these trai-
tors right here, and am responsible for what
say to any one or all of them. (Cheers.l Lei
them come on now, right here. l nm sixty i've
years old, and have made up my mind to risk
my life right here, on this floor, for my country.
tAlF. Funk's seat is near the lobby railing, and
crowd collected around him, evidently with the
INTENTION oil protecting him from violence, if
necessary. The last announcement was received
with great cheering, and | saw many an eve
Hash, aud many countenanoe grow radiant with
the light OF defance.)
These men sneered at Colonel Mack few days
since, He is small man. But am large
man am ready to meet any OF them in place
OF Col. Mack. am large enough for them, and
hold myself ready for them now and at anv
time lCheers from the galleries
MT Speaker, these traitors On this floor shonlj
ne provided with hempen collars. They deserve
them They deserve hanging, say. (raisine hts
Volce and violently striking the desk, the conn
try would bo the better for swinging them nm.
60 for hanging them, and | dare to tell them an
rlght here to their traitorous faces. Traitors
should be hung, 1t would be the only salvation
OF the country to hang them. For that reason |
must rejoice at it, tremendous cheering Mr.
speaker, beg pardon of the gentlemen In tbis
Senate who are not traitors but true loyal men.
ior what have said. l only intend it and mean |
It for Secessonists at heart, They are here in
this Senate. | see them gibe, and smirk, and
grin at a true Union man.
Must defy them ? l stand here ready for
them ami dare them to come On. (Great cheer-
ing What man with the heart of A natriot |
could stand this treason any longer? have
stood it long enough; will stand it no more.
Cheers. denouuce these men and their aid .
ers and abettors as rank traitors and secession
lists. Hell itself could not spew outa more traitor
Gus crew than Some of the men that disgrace this