Forgiven but not forgotten

Chandigarh, Tuesday, September 10, 1974

THE grant of a “full, free and absolute pardon” to Richard Nixon for “all offences against the United States” during his tenure will save the former President much mental anguish. His eleventh-hour resignation had already rescued him from indictment and impeachment. Gerald Ford’s conscience has dictated that the bad dream need not be prolonged, especially because Nixon, his former chief and benefactor, has already suffered enough. Indeed, there was the danger of ugly passions being aroused again, for months and possibly for years. Nixon’s resignation was itself without a precedent, and the pardon in such novel circumstances sets another. In 1867, the US Supreme Court, in the Ex parte Garland case, had held that the presidential power is “unlimited” except in cases of impeachment. Ford’s unlimited and gracious act does him much credit, even though within hours of assuming the high office, he had declared that he would not interfere with the due process of law. An offender must suffer, however exalted his position. But compassion to an offender need not prevent people all the world over from detesting the offence. Throughout his tenure, Nixon had pleaded innocence — even when the chargesheet became formidable. He said he had never obstructed justice, never profited from public office… (“I am not a crook”) In his televised address on August 9, he announced his decision to resign from the presidency “in the national interest”. He said he was quitting because he no longer had a strong political base in Congress. There was no admission of guilt at any stage, though he did mention possible errors of judgement.