The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-03-19
"A zsra., Ola p.sassoe'a soesc.s.

The SPrineiold correspondence OF the
Missouri De0aorrat contains the following
aecouut Of ao exciting scene in tie late
Illinois Legislature
A great sensation was created by a
speech ily Mr.. Punk, one Of the. rich est
farmers IL the State, man who pays over
three thousand dollars per anun taxes
to"ard the support o! TIE Covcruinent.-
The lobby aud gallery were crowded with
spectators. hIr. Funk rose TO object to
triliiug resolutions which were being intro
dlced by the Democrats TO Kill time aud
sssYe off 3 vo-e upnn tie appropriations
for tie support OF TIE State Goqernment
He s.lid
Nj. Speakcr-T can sit here 10 longer
and soe sueh by-pay going on. These
nfcn are trii;u- with the best interests Of
Inc country. Ibay should have asses
ears 70 set OF their heads, Tor they are
traitors and secessionist5 at heart
| say shat they are traitors ani Seces-
sioisists ct heart ii this Senate Their
actions prove it. Their eibes and laugh
Ter, ard cAeers here nightly, when their
speakers get up to IcDounce the war anG
the Adnlilisiration, prove it.
can sit here no longer: and rot tell
these traitors what | thiok Of them And
while so telling them, | aul responsible,
myself, for what | say. stapd, upon my
own bottom ! am ready "a meet any man
.on this 1oor, in any manner, from pins
point to the mouth OF a cannon, upon this
cilarga- against these traitors. (fremend-
Gus applause In the galleries am an
old man of sixty Eve; came 70 Illinois
poor boy; have made little some
thing for myself and family pay three
Thousand dollars year in taxes. | am
willing to pay six Thousand. aye, twelve
thousand, (great cheering, the old gentle
man striking the desk with a blow that
would knock down bullock, and causing
the nkstand to fg in the air,) aye, an
willing to pay my whole fortune, and them
give nay IFS to save my country from
these traitors that are. seeking TO destroy
it. Tremendous applause, which the
Speaker could not controls
Mr Speaker, you must please excuse
me, could not sit longer in ny scat and
calmly listen 10 those traitors. Ny heart,
that feels for nay county,, would not. let
ue. Ny heart, that cries ca: for the lives
"! Out DiaHc fUtHIlctfS in iUt EciQ. tldb
these traitors at home are destroying bg
thousands, woald rot Let me 3iT Ilear5
that bleetis for the widows anl orphans at
home, would rot let me. Yes, these
traitors ands,viIiainS in THIS Scuate (stlik-
ing his clenched fist on the desk with
blow that made the Senate ring again)
are killing nay nei irhbors' boys, now fight
ing IN the field dare to say. this 10
these traitors. right here, and a;n re<pon-
sibie Tor what | say to any one or ali Of
them (Cheers.) let hem come on now
right here. / am sixty five years old,
and | have made up my mind TO risk ny
life right here on this floor ior nv coun;ry.
Mr. Fuuk's scat is near the lobby railing,
and crowd collected around him, eyi-
dently with the intention Of protecting
him from violence, il necessary: The last
announcement was received with great
cheering, and | saw many. a -ceuntenance
grow radiant with the light Of oehance:)
These men sneered at Col. Mack few
days since. lie IS small man. But I
am large man. ] ann ready to meet any
OF them in place of Col Mack. am
large enough fer any OF them, aud | hold
myself ready for them now and nj any
time. (t'heers from the galleries