The Wahpeton Times

Politics and Justice.

Politically the great Wordsworth was a conservative. He loved the English church and state. "I would lay down my life for the church," said he to Coleridge. He disliked change, and had a horror of reform. But, though a Tory in party politics, he was a Liberal in heart. "I have no respect whatever for the Whigs," he once said to Crabbe Robinson, "but I have a great deal of the Chartist in me." The Chartists were the political radicals of his time.

An anecdote, told by Lord Coleridge, shows the poet's sympathy with the people.

Sir John Coleridge, the father of the present lord chief-justice of England, once accompanied Wordsworth on a visit to Lord Lonsdale. At a certain point in the road the poet proposed to Sir John that they should leave the carriage and walk the rest of the way through the woods. While crossing a field by a disused track, Sir John observed a blank wall at the opposite side, with no gate nor stile, and asked if they were in the right path.

"Yes," replied the poet, "you will soon see." Upon reaching the loosely-built wall, he put his foot against it, and made a breach sufficient to let the two men pass through.

"There used to be a right of way for the people here, time out of mind," said Wordsworth, "but the land has been recently bought by Lord --, and he has closed this ancient footpath against the people. I am determined, however, to have it kept open, so far as I am able, and will walk no other way to the castle. I wouldn't be surprised if we met Lord -- to-night at the castle, and if so, I shall let him know what I think of his action."

Lord -- was there, and after dinner referred to the Radicals who broke down his wall, and entered his grounds without permission.

"I am the person, my lord," said Wordsworth, "who broke down your wall, and I shall do it again; for there is an ancient right of way through that field, a right of the people, and I am determined to maintain it. You bought the property with that right attached to it, and, Conservative as I am, scratch me thus, and you will find the Radical beneath."