What is significant about a visit from one of Ellen’s realitives who lives in Kentucky?

Wilse's visit brings the conflict between the North and the South into Ellen's home, and all of the questions being asked by all sides come to the forefront. Does the union stick together, do Southerners support the South even when they no longer live there? Do Northern industries treat their laborers in similar if not worse ways than the Southerners treat their slaves? Can the nation continue if it is broken into two?