Before resuming his travels, Lincoln writes to James N. Brown, Sangamon County politician, explaining his position on race question. Alighting from train at Naples, he meets "about fifteen Celtic gentlemen, with black carpet-sacks in their hands." This worries him. He fears Democrats may secure enough fraudulent votes to carry doubtful districts. He inquires where they are going, but can learn nothing definite. He speaks at Naples in afternoon, and at nearby Meredosia after dark, remarking about Irishmen probably imported to vote against him. Abraham Lincoln to James N. Brown, 18 October 1858, CW, 3:327-28; Speech at Meredosia, Illinois, 18 October 1858, CW, 3:328-29.