September 8 ~ Character
“With all the power that a President has, the most important thing to bear in mind is this: You must not give power to a man unless, above everything else, he has character. Character is the most important qualification the President of the United States can have.” ~ Richard Nixon, 1964

Watercolor of President Gerald Ford, reflecting mercy and leadershipOn this day in 1974, just one month after President Gerald Ford took office and Richard Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal, Ford signed Proclamation 4311 — granting Nixon “a full, free, and absolute pardon.”

It was a bold act of mercy for a nation in turmoil. The pardon covered any federal crimes Nixon “committed or may have committed or taken part in” during his presidency.

Ford, known for his integrity and steady decency, knew the decision would be unpopular. He believed Nixon’s resignation had already exacted a profound toll — and that the country needed to heal. “Our long national nightmare is over,” he had declared upon taking office.

But the cost was high. The pardon likely ended Ford’s chances of winning the 1976 election. Yet he never wavered. “I remain convinced,” he reflected years later, “that pardoning Nixon was the right thing to do.”

Secretary of State Henry Kissinger called the decision “a courageous and humane act.” In moments of crisis, Ford chose mercy over vengeance — character over calculation. History still takes note.

Mercy in leadershipWhen the world fractures, lead with mercy.