Does anyone know what this quote by mark twain means?

Question

"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"

I really need to know for an essay please help!!

Answer 1

He says that owning slaves 'blunts' the slaveholder's moral perceptions.  In other words, a slaveholder does not have any sense of the 'wrongness' of what he is doing.  He is impervious to guilt.

He says that aristocracy is the same way: blind, guiltless people with no sense of right or wrong.