Who are the rulers of the darkness of this world?

As Spirit Franchezzo and his companion enter a great city of hell, they find quite a large crowd of dark spirits assembled, listening to some sort of proclamation. 

Evidently, it is one, which excites their derision and anger, for there are yells and hoots and cries resounding on all sides. 

As Spirit Franchezzo draws yet nearer, he perceives it is one, which has been read recently in the earthly counterpart, and has, for its object, the further liberation and advancement of the people―an object, which down here in this stronghold of oppression and tyranny only provokes a desire for its suppression, and these dark beings around him are vowing to thwart its good purpose .

These dark beings delight in war, misery and bloodshed, and are ever eager to return to earth to kindle (wo)men's fierce cruel passions afresh. 

In times of great national oppression and revolt when the heated passions of men are inflamed to fever heat, these dwellers of the depths are drawn up to earth's surface by the force of kindred desires, exciting and urging on revolutions, which begun at first from motives that were high and pure and noble will under the stress of passion and the instigation of these dark beings from the lower sphere become at last mere excuses for wild butcheries and excesses of every kind. 

By these very excesses, a reaction is created, and these dark demons, and those whom they control, are in their turn swept away by the higher powers, leaving a wide track of ruin and suffering to mark where they have been. 

Thus, in these lowest hells, a rich harvest is reaped of unhappy souls who have been drawn down along with the evil spirits that have tempted them.