oln had put off
the melancholy mood that appeared to control him during the day, and was
entertaining those present with genial, even lively, conversation. The
pleasant entertainment was interrupted by the announcement that a
delegation of German workingmen were about to serenade Mr. Lincoln.
Proceeding to the balcony, there were seen the faces of nearly two
thousand of the substantial German citizens who had voted for Mr.
Lincoln because they believed him to be a stout champion of free labor
and free homesteads. The remarks of their spokesman, Frederick
Oberkleine, set forth in clear terms what they expected. He said:

We, the German free workingmen of Cincinnati, avail ourselves of
this opportunity to assure you, our chosen Chief Magistrate, of our
sincere and heartfelt regard. You earned our votes as the champion
of Free Labor and Free Homesteads. Our vanquished opponents have,
in recent times, made frequent use of the terms "Workingmen" and
"Workingmen's Meetings," in order to create an impression that the
mass of workingmen were _in favor of compromises between the
interests of free labor and slave labor, by which the victory just
won would be turned into a defeat_. This is a despicable device of
dishonest men. _We spurn such compromises. We firmly adhere to the
principles which directed our votes in your favor. We trust that
you, the self-reliant because self-made man, will uphold the
Constitution and the laws against secret treachery and avowed
treason_. If to this end you should be in need of men, the German
free workingmen, with others, will rise as one man at your call,
ready to risk their lives in the effort to maintain the victory
already won by freedom over slavery.

"This was bringing the rugged issue boldly to the front, and challenging
the President-elect to meet the issue or risk the loss of the support of
an important section of his own party. Oberkleine spoke with great
effect, but the remarks were hardly his own. Some abler man had put into
his mouth these significant words. Mr. Lincoln replied, very
deliberately, but without hesitation, as follows:

MR. CHAIRMAN:--I thank you, and those you represent, for the
compliment paid me by the tender of this address. In so far as
there is an allusion to our present national difficulty, and the
suggestion of the views of the gentlemen who present this ad