With this famous speech, Daniel Webster joined the nineteenth-century debate over slavery in the US. While personally opposed to the practice, Webster argued that allowing the South to continue using slave labor was essential to maintaining unity of the states. This middle-ground opinion won him support of some Southerner moderates but also lost him the respect of some Northerners. Though it became the subject of much controversy, "The Constitution and the Union" showcases Webster's unmatched skill as an orator.