The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-12-17
Co1uMp1A, 8. c., December Is. 1870.

COLUMBIA, 8. c., December 15. 1870.
To tho Honorable Franklin J. Noses, IT,,
Speaker. Of she House q Representatives.
| SIR: T have the honor to acknowledge
tile receipt of your official oommunica-
tion OF yesterd day, covering the reso-
luton of the House of Representatives
of the State of South Carolina, in words
following, to wit: "That T. o. P. Yer
non, Judge of the Seventh judicial Cir
cult, be and is hereby impoached for
high crimes and misdemeanors. I have
no complaint to make against this action
OF the House of Representatives, wherein
it tsees ft to prefer charges against me as
u public officer, provided those charges
are made. as to form end substance, il
such manner that they can be answered
and mot by me. This is the constitu-
tional prerogative of the House of Re
representatives., on the one hand, and it is
my constitutional right to answer tho
charges aud repel them as best I may,
on the other, and to this end demand
my trial. Let the charges be now made,
| and am prepared to defend my official
conduct in the presence of the Senate,
sitting as court of impeachment. I
demand the specification of these high
crimes with (which have been charged.
demand the specifications of misde-
meanors charged against me in the exer-
ciso OF the functions OF the high Office to
which have been chosen. Permit me
of Judge in South Carolina. I was ap-
pointed to it by the General Assembly,
without solicitation on my part-in point
OF fact, without my knowledge. / felt
then, as feel now, my unworthiness to
stand in the place of the illustrious men
OF tho State who have heretofore worn,
without fear and without reproach, the
Judicial ermine-men who have, by their
courage, their profound learning and un-
sulliod virtue, rendered illustrious the
judicial history of the commonwealth.
L accepted the offico with neither the
hope or expectation that could illus
trate it with that learning or exalt it
with that ability which had characterized
its past history; but, in an humber
sphere. I honestly felt that, with Gods
help, I could maintain untarnished nt
least its ancient purity and unsullied vir-
tue. Great judicial talents may adorn
the State, but without these advantages, a
less shining judicial quality, to wit: judi
cial integrity, may often serve the State.
In this latter quality, at least, I claim to
be the peer of the first among the first.
and challenge an investigation, without
fear of proof to the contrary.
It may be to my individual comfort,
and perhaps it might crafty some, that
[ should now tender to the General
Assembly the commission which I re-
ceived from it, without solicitation,
accepted in Difference to its judgment,
have held without dishonor, and an
prepared to surrender without regret.
But in this grave issue, personal con-
sideration must yield to sense of public
duty. I do not stand alone. The indie
pendence and integrity of tho judicial
branch Of the Government shall not be-
stricken down i'll my person, without at
least n fearless, though it may be in
efftctnal, effort to resist nil assaults upon
either, como from whatever quarter they
may. With this resolve, I submit my
self to the action of the House of Repre-
scntatives, aud have the honor to COM
municatc the same through you, its
presiding officer. I shall appear in per-
son when summoned by the Senate
assisted by my counsel, the Hon. Joseph
d. Pope aud Col. A. G. Haskell, coun-
sellors ut law, Of this city. I am. sir,
very respectfully, your obcdient servant,
II. o. P. VERNON.