The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-02-20
Tne Germnn. ana mr.. s.,ncoln

the Germans and mr.. l.tncoln.
While in Cincinnati several thousand Ger.
mans called upon Mr.. Lincoln. A report Of
the speeches 10 given in tho papers Of the
place:
Mayer Bishop tried TO beg tbs crowd to
excuse Mr.. Lincoln, but without avail. lie
was their President, and ,hsy were bound to
hear him. One big Dutchman, with ia
ming tar stick and stentorian voice, kept
CRYING out, "You shust brings him out; Gums
out you honest Old Abe"
Finally a passage way was cleared, and
the following address delivered by Fred Ohcr-
kline, Esq, and responded 80 by MIR, Lin.
coln
To abraham Lincoln, President Elect Of
the United States:
SlR-Me. the German free working men
of Cincinnati, avail ourselves OF this oppor-
tunity to assure you, our shosen Chief Mag.
istrate, OF our sincere and heartfelt regard.
You earned our votes as the champion OF
free labor and free homesteads. Our van
pushed opponents have, 10 recent times,
made free use OF the terms ssworkingmen"
and "workingmen's meetings." in order to
create an impression, as ii mass OF work.
ingmen were in favor OF compromises be-
tween the interests OF free labor and slave
labor, by which the victory just won would
be turned into defeat. This is a despica-
BILE device Of dishonest men. Wespurn such
compromises. We firmly adhere to the prin-
ciples which directed our votes 10 your f.
vor. We trust that you, the self-relsnt
because self -made man, will uphold the Con-
stituton and the laws against secret treach-
cry and avowed treason. II to this end you
should be in need Of men, the German free
workingmen, with others, will rise a. one
man 1T your call, ready to risk their lives ia
the effort TO maintain the victory already
won BY freedom over slavery.
REPLY OF MI. LINCOLN.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: thank you and those
whom you represent for tho compliment you
have paid me BY rendering me this address.
In 30 far as there il an allusion to our pres
ent national difficulties, which expresses, as
YOU have said, the views Of the gentlemen
rresent, / shail have to bag FaEAea fer 90.
entering fully uron the questions which the
address you have nov read suggests.
decm it my duty--a du,y which owe to-
nv constituencies you. gentlemen, that
should wait until the last moment for de-
vttorment of the rrrssnt natfonaf d3tffhcutrrrr,
before express myself decidedly what course
shall pursue. hope then not to be false
to ANYTHING that you have to expect OF me.
| agree with you, Mr.. Chairman. that the
working men are the basis Of all govern.
ments, for the plain reason that they are the
most numer Gus; ; and ns you added that those
were tine sentiments Of the gentlemen pres
ent, repr ssenting not only the working class,
but citizens Of other ca!lings than those Of
the mechanic, am happy to concur with
you in these sentiments, not only of the ma
tive born citizens, but a.so Of the Germans
and foreigners from other countries.
Mr.. Chairman hold that while man ex-
lists, il ii his duty to improve not only hi.
own condition, but to assist in ameiorating
mankind; and, therefore. without entering
upon the details OF the question, will sim
plv say, that | am for those means which
will give the greatest good to the greatest
number.
:. In regard to the homestead law, have to
say that 10 90 far as the Government lands
can be disposed Of, | am in favor Of cutting
up the wild lands into parcels, SO that every
poor man may have home.
| In regard TO the Germans and foreigners,
esteem them no better than any other PEG
pie, nor amy worse. tCries Of good.l 1t ID
not nv nature. when ! see a people borne
down by the weight OF their shacklcs the
oppression OF tyranny-to make their life
more bitter by heaping upon them create,
burdens; but rather would do all in my
power to raise the yoke, than to add anything
tina. would tend To crush them.
Inasmuca as our country lie extensive and
new, and the countries Of Europe are densely
populated. ii there arc any abroad who de.
sire to make this the land OF their adoption
it is not in my heart to throw aught 10 their
way to prevent them from coming to thu
United Ststes.
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, will bic
| you IN affectionate farewell.