fundamental by those who had been attracted to the party of Freedom.  The sequel will show how this was done, and how successfully Mr. Lincoln met the unexpected attack.  In the evening I called, with other citizens, at Mr. Lincoln’s rooms at the Burnet House to pay my respects.  Mr. Lincoln 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 address, I beg you will excuse me from entering particularly upon it.  I deem it due to myself and the whole country, in the present extraordinary condition of the country and of public opinion, that I should wait and see the last development of public opinion before I give my views or express myself at the time