The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1870-12-22
Letter from Judge Vernon.

, COLUMBIA: 5. C., Dec. 10, 1871.
To the Hen. Franklin j. Moas, Jr.,
Speaker Of the House Of Representa-.
tiUes.
SIR: I have tho honor to acknowl.
edge the receipt of your official com.
mun;cation of yesterday, covering the
resolution of the House of Representa-
tives Of the State Of South Carolina, in
words following. to wit: THAT 7. o.
p. Vernon, Judge of the Seventh Ju-
dicinl Circuit, be and is hereby impeact.
ed for high crimes and misdemeanurs."
| have 10 complaint to make against
this uction of the House Of Representa-
tivcs, wherein it secs 6t TO prefer charges
against me US public officer, provided
those are made, as to form and sub.
stance, in such manner that they eun
be answered and met by me. This is
the constitutional prerogative Of the
|. House of Representatives. on the one
hand, and it is my constitutional right
to answer the charges and repel them
as best 4 may, on the other, and to this
end I demand my triul. Let the
charges be now made, and I am pro.
pared to defend my official conduct in
the presence of the Senate, sitting rs
Court of impeachment. II demand the
specification Of these high crimes with
which have been charged. l demand
the specifications Of misdemeanors
charged against me in the exercise Of
tho functions Of the high Office to which
I have been chosen. Permit me here
to say that / did not seek the Office Of
Judge in South Carolina. l was ap.
pointed to it by the General Assembly
without solicitation on my part-in
point Of fact, without my knowledge.
I felt then, as l feel now, my unworth.
incss to stant in the place Of the illus.
trious men Of the State who have here-
tofore worn, without fear and reprouch,
the Judicial ermine-men who have,
cy their courage, their profound learn
ing and unsullied virtue, rendered II.
lustrious the judicial history Of the
common wealth. l accepted the Office
with neither the hope or expectation
that could illustrate it with that learn.
ing or exalt with that ability which
had characterized its past history; but.
in an humber sphere, honestly felt
that with Gods help, I could maintain
untarnished at least its ancient purity
and unsul!ed virtue. Great judicial
talents may rdorn the State, but with.
out these advantages, less shining
judicial quality, to wit judicial intcgri.
ty, may often serve the State. In this
litter quality, at least, / claim to be
the peer ofthe first among the first, and
challenge an investigation, without fear
of prooi to the contrary. ..
1t may be to my individual comfort,
and perhaps it might crafty some, that
l should now tender to the General
Assembly the commission which I res
ceived from it, without solicitation, &C.
cepted in Difference to its judgment,
huye held without dishonor, and am
prepared to surrender without regret.
But in this grave issue, personal con-
siderstion must yield to a sense ofpub.
lie duty. do not stand alone. The
Independent and iptearity of the judi.
ciul brunch Of the Government shall
not be stricken down in my person
without ut least fearless, though it
may be ineffctual, effort to resist all
assaults upon either, come from what.
ever quarter they may. With this re.
solve, submit myself to the action of
the Hnnse Of Representatives, and have
the homer to communicate the same
through you, its presiding officer. l
shall appear in person when summoned
by the Senate, assisted by my counsols,
the Hon. joseph D. Pope aud Col A.
G. Haskell, counscllurs ut law, of this
city. anl, sir, very respectfully, your
otedient servant,
T. o. P. VERNON.