《從28篇經典演說學思考》第28篇[寬恕的力量」。福特總統最為不幸，因為他必須赦免尼克森總統。但是在法律上行不通，因為尼克森並未被定罪、也不曾被起訴，有何權力可以赦免他？幸好，當時老百姓己經精疲力盡，祗想安定下來，也就不再追究這件不合邏輯的事件。
Address to the Nation Pardoning Richard M. Nixon
Sep 8. 1974 Gerald Ford
As President, my primary concern must always be the greatest good of all the people of the United States whose servant I am. As a man, my first consideration is to be true to my own convictions and my own conscience.
My conscience tells me clearly and certainly that I cannot prolong the bad dreams that continue to reopen a chapter that is closed. My conscience tells me that only I, as President, have the constitutional power to firmly shut and seal this book. My conscience tells me it is my duty, not merely to proclaim domestic tranquility but to use every means that I have to insure it . I do believe that the buck stops here, that I cannot rely upon build opinion polls to tell me what isight. I do believe that right makes might and that if I ma wrong, ten angel swearing I was right would make no difference. I do believe, with all my heart and mind and spirit, that I, not as President as a humble servant of God , will receive justice without mercy of fail to show mercy.
Finally, I feel that Richard Nixon and his loved ones have suffered enough and will continue to suffer, no matter what I do, no matter what we, as great and good nation, can do together to make his goal of peace come true.
Now, therefore, I Gerald R. Ford, President of the United State, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article 2, Section 2, of the Constitution , have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from July 20, 1969. through August 9. 1974
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