Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this speech. Jefferson Davis supported slavery. In his speech, he mentions a counterclaim by Senator Seward who “describes the institution of slavery as degrading to labor, as intolerant and inhuman…” Does Davis directly address the counterclaim? Yes, by stating: “…slave labor…removes from us all that controversy between the laborer and the capitalist, which has filled Europe with starving millions and made their poorhouses…” Yes, by stating: “…the white laborer among us is not enslaved only because he cannot yet be reduced to bondage.” No, by stating: “…slave labor…removes from us all that controversy between the laborer and the capitalist, which has filled Europe with starving millions and made their poorhouses…” No, by stating: “…the white laborer among us is not enslaved only because he cannot yet be reduced to bondage.”