FORD, Gerald (1913-2006). Typed document signed ("Gerald R. Ford"), as former President. A Souvenir copy of his message to the American people announcing his pardon of Richard M. Nixon. 3 pages, 4to .
FORD, Gerald (1913-2006). Typed document signed ("Gerald R. Ford"), as former President. A Souvenir copy of his message to the American people announcing his pardon of Richard M. Nixon. 3 pages, 4to . "A FULL, FREE AND ABSOLUTE PARDON UNTO RICHARD NIXON" Gerald Ford's long life of public service, duly honored and celebrated in his December 2006 funeral, will be best remembered for his pardon of former President Richard M. Nixon. Here is a souvenir copy of the text of that pardon, signed by Ford. Hotly controversial at the time, critics wondered if a corrupt bargain had been struck with Nixon agreeing to relinquish the Presidency into Ford's hands in return for the pardon. No evidence then or now substantiates such a charge. Ford's reasons for taking this unpopular act--which certainly loomed large in his 1976 election defeat--were precisely and solely the ones he gave the public in this message, and which he later elaborated in sworn Congressional testimony. Nixon and his family, Ford said, are caught "in an American tragedy in which we have all played a part. It could go on and on and on, or someone must write an end to it. I have concluded that only I could do that, and if I can I must." The allegations hanging "like a sword over or former President's head" were threatening his health. In any criminal trial, "ugly passions would again be aroused. And our people would again be polarized in their opinions. And the credibility of our free institutions would again be challenged at home and abroad." Nixon's resignation brought the "long national nightmare" of Watergate to an end.
FORD, Gerald (1913-2006). Typed document signed ("Gerald R. Ford"), as former President. A Souvenir copy of his message to the American people announcing his pardon of Richard M. Nixon. 3 pages, 4to .
FORD, Gerald (1913-2006). Typed document signed ("Gerald R. Ford"), as former President. A Souvenir copy of his message to the American people announcing his pardon of Richard M. Nixon. 3 pages, 4to . "A FULL, FREE AND ABSOLUTE PARDON UNTO RICHARD NIXON" Gerald Ford's long life of public service, duly honored and celebrated in his December 2006 funeral, will be best remembered for his pardon of former President Richard M. Nixon. Here is a souvenir copy of the text of that pardon, signed by Ford. Hotly controversial at the time, critics wondered if a corrupt bargain had been struck with Nixon agreeing to relinquish the Presidency into Ford's hands in return for the pardon. No evidence then or now substantiates such a charge. Ford's reasons for taking this unpopular act--which certainly loomed large in his 1976 election defeat--were precisely and solely the ones he gave the public in this message, and which he later elaborated in sworn Congressional testimony. Nixon and his family, Ford said, are caught "in an American tragedy in which we have all played a part. It could go on and on and on, or someone must write an end to it. I have concluded that only I could do that, and if I can I must." The allegations hanging "like a sword over or former President's head" were threatening his health. In any criminal trial, "ugly passions would again be aroused. And our people would again be polarized in their opinions. And the credibility of our free institutions would again be challenged at home and abroad." Nixon's resignation brought the "long national nightmare" of Watergate to an end.
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