The French Revolution was therefore in its essence a sublime and impassioned spirituality. It had a divine and universal ideal. This is the reason why its passion spread beyond the frontiers of France. Those who limit, mutilate it. It was the accession of three moral sovereignties:—
The sovereignty of right over force;
The sovereignty of intelligence over prejudices;
The sovereignty of people over governments.
Revolution in rights; equality.
Revolution in ideas; reasoning substituted for authority.
Revolution in facts; the reign of the people.
A Gospel of social rights.
A Gospel of duties, a charter of humanity.
France declared itself the apostle of this creed. In this war of ideas France had allies every where, and even on thrones themselves.