The blunting effects of slavery upon the slaveholder's moral perceptions are known and conceded the world over; and a priveleged class, an aristocracy, is but a band of slaveholders under another name.

Summary

This quote highlights the detrimental impact of slavery on the moral compass of slaveholders, acknowledging that the oppressive act distorts their ability to identify right from wrong. It suggests that a privileged class or an aristocracy essentially functions as a group of individuals who exercise control and dominance over others, as was the case with slaveholders, just under a different label. The quote draws attention to the dehumanizing nature of slavery and posits that any form of systematic oppression perpetuates a similar dynamic under different circumstances.

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