The Arkansas advocate., 1832-11-28
Posr OF ARKANSAS. Nov 1orp 1sao

PosT OF ARKANSAS, Nov. l9rH, 1882
 To the Editor Qf .tte .4dpocate
 SIR-in your paper of the l4th instant, ! have noticed few paragraphs addressed to you, signed Wm Trim6le. It seems the writer of them was anxious that the public should distinctly knoso that he had not authorized the reference made 10 him. by me, in publication of the 24th utimo. containing charges against k JOHNSON ,S.c. It IS with much pleasure, as that indiyid
 uai so earnestly desires the publicity of the fact, thati lere repeat for bip, that the reference was without his aadhority 0 r consent. To place him entirely at ease, 1 will remove all controversy on this point E would further add, that at the time made the reference to him, l did not think II possible that any circumstances could exist, rendering il either dangerous, trou- 6tesome, disagreeabfe or injurious to him, to speak the truth. No more was expect ed or desired, This much would not have been aninjnstiee 10 any one. To have made true and disinterested statement, would not have placed that person in the attitude of either defeace or accusation.-- \ mere witness never assumes either Of those relations, and he was never intend ed to be placed in any other: If he had frankly stated what he knew. no man in his senses would have ever thought of view ing him in any other light. My knowledge that he knew most Of the facts contained under the fourth head To be true, and my then belief, Tn his indepe 1dence and in tegrity. were the only inducements to me, n making the reference. If any re- strsints exist, forbidding him to state what he knows, he has created them himself, not me. That any man should be found so incumbcred, that he cannot state sim pie and nndoubted truth, land nothing du- olons was called for,) is sincerely to be retted--particuiarly when the public interest, rather than that of individuals. IS concerned. These things were not done ina corner, and there can be no ob- little consequence to me-others know them as well as this witness.
 The author of that publication ought to know the deep and extensive concern the people of the Territory have in the con duct of one of their judicial officers, and that all their rights are held by an uncer- tain tenure, and depend on chance, when their security is iDtrusted 10 an indiyidu- al subject to iDtroxicatiob, to the extent mentioned in the 4th specification. The public have an .undonbted right 10 com potent officer, and an equal right to get rid of one guilty of misconduct. The only means by which the public can be reliey- cd, is by presenting the facts, in form entitled to credit, before the President and Senate of the United States. If the charges are true, the individual is certain
 y unfit for the office; the public good re-. quires his removal, and every citizen should feel himself bound to aid in advanc- ing and securing the public weifare.-- The writer referred to, seems indirectly to censure the course ] have adopted, be- cause Ii is not an investigation Iii legal form. \ legal and formal trial has been sought, and will never be declined by. those who accuse; but 1t has been avoid ed by Judge Johnson, or his friends, or both. There are but two courses left. quiet submission to Judge Johnson's mis- conduct, or the one l have adopted.- Submission to the abuse ofjudicial authori- ", is to license petty tyranny, and to turn loose on society all the crimes that belong | 1t is disgracefnl to every American citi- gen. We inherit our rights, do not barter for them, with any petty tyrant. As tri- l al has been once declined by the accused |, am not chargeabie with the absence of the formalities of it. The course then have adopted, is fair, and invades no lule of moral right. It is the only one left for the security of the ppblic right; and the public have a claim to the investigation, although Judge Johnson never should con lsent 1 statement of the truth then, by Wm, Trimbe, would not have infrinped any legal or moral rule, although he might not, at the time, have look cd Judge John son in the face. The person referred to, has fancied ,liimseif Judge, called on to decide whether his statements as witness would be good eyidence on trial at com : mon law" H decides that they would
 not, and then refuses to testify. I cer-
 tanly do not object to his fancying himself Judge, but must protest against his mis- taking the state of the case, His evi- ldence was not intended to be used on a itrjai at law, but as information 10 the Pre- |sident and Senate. All 'information is igood, that is true, and if his statements i had possessed the latter G.,a.ii4ssy, there l could have been no objection to them. Ii
 will he rcca.Iccted thal oGoveS copies Q,