the primaries, where he is so good on the stump, i am going to go right to the primary and take it from him there. that is where my knowledge of the story falls off, when he decided not to do it, whether reagan and bush did, taking it off by offering him the vice presidency, but ford walked away from that, and that is the end of his public career. >> bob, thank you again. their time is a charm. thank you. >> thank you all, very, very much. [applause] >> these are for sale, and we appreciate it. >> $150 apiece. [laughter] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] [captioning performed by national captioning institute]

>> i have learned already in this office that the typical decisions always come to this desk. i must admit that many of them do not look at all the same as the hypothetical questions that i have answered freely and, perhaps, too fast on previous occasions. my customary policy is to try and get all of the facts and to consider the opinions of my countrymen and to take counsel with my most valued friends, but these seldom agree, and in the end, the decision is mine. to procrastinate, to agonize, and to wait for a more favorable turn of events that may never come, or more compelling

external pressures that may as well be wrong as right. it is itself a decision of sorts and a weak and potentially dangerous course for a president to follow. i have promised to uphold the constitution, to do what is right. course for a president to follow. i have promised to uphold the constitution, to do what is see the god gives me to right, and to do the very best that i can for america. and yourked your help prayers, not only when i became president, but many times since. the constitution is the supreme law of our land and it governs our actions as citizens. only the laws of god, which govern our consciences, are superior to it.

as we are a nation under god, so i am sworn to uphold our laws with the help of god. such guidance and searched my own conscience with special diligence to determine the right thing for me to do with respect to my predecessor in this place, richard nixon, and his loyal wife and family. inirs is an american tragedy which we all have played a part. , orould go on and on and on someone must write the end to it. i have concluded that only i can do that. if i can, i must. no historic or legal precedents to which i can turn

in this matter, none that precisely fit the circumstances of a private citizen who has resigned the presidency of the united states. it is common knowledge that serious allegations and accusations hang like a sword over our former president's head, threatening his health, as he tries to reshape his life, a great part of which was spent in the service of this country and by the mandate of his people. after years of bitter controversy and divisive national debate, i have been advised, and i am compelled to , andude, that many months perhaps more years, will have to pass before richard nixon could obtain a fair trial by jury in

any jurisdiction of the united states under governing decisions of the supreme court. in equalbelieve justice for all americans, whatever their station or former station. the law, whether human or divine , is no respecter of persons, but the law is a respecter of reality. the fact, as i see them, are that a former president of the united states, instead of enjoying equal treatment with any other citizen accused of violating the law, would be cruelly and excessively penalized either in preserving the presumption of his innocence speedybtaining a determination of his guilt. in order to repay a legal debt to society.

delay this long period of and potential litigation, ugly passions would again be aroused, and our people would again be polarized in their opinion, and the credibility of our free institutions of government would again be challenged at home and abroad. in the end, the course might well hold that richard nixon had been denied due process and the verdict of history would even more be inconclusive with respect to those charges arising out of the period of his presidency, of which i am presently aware. fateit is not the ultimate of richard nixon that most concerns me. though, surely, it deeply

troubles every decent and every compassionate person. my concern is the immediate future of this great country. not depend upon my personal sympathy, as a longtime friend of the former president, nor my professional judgment as a lawyer, and i do not. as president, my primary concern must always be the greatest good of all the people of the united i am., whose servant 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. that onlynce tells me 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 , but to usenquility every means that i have to ensu re it. i do believe that the buck stops here, that i cannot rely upon public opinion polls to tell me what is right. i do believe that right makes might. wrong, ten angels swearing i was right would make

no difference. i do believe with all my heart and mind and spirit that i, not as president, but as a humble servant of god, will receive justice without mercy if i fail to show mercy. finally, i feel that richard nixon and his loved ones have suffered enough and will continue to suffer no matter , as i do, no matter what we a 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 states to the pardon powers

confirmed upon me by article , of thetion two constitution, have granted and a these presents do grant full, free, and absolute pardon unto richard nixon for all offenses against the united states which he, richard nixon, have committed -- has committed or may have committed or taken of julyfrom the period 20, 1969, through august 9, 1974. watching american history tv, 48 hours of programming on american history every weekend on c-span3. follow us on twitter for information on our schedule, programs, and to keep up with the latest history news.

>> we are excited to announce it is watch week for the 11th annual student cam documentary contest. $100,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to middle and high school contest winners. this years theme is the broadest ever. it is the three branches and you. we would like you to tell a story that demonstrates how a policy, law, or action by either the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the federal government has affected you and your life or your community. the competition is open to students in grades six through 12 and students may work alone or in groups of up to three. contestants are asked to produce a five to seven minute video documentary supporting their chosen topic and to include some c-span programming. that $100,000 in cash prizes students and0 teachers. the grand prize winner with the best overall entry will win $5,000. the deadline is january 20, 2015, and winners will be

announced in march. visit studentcam.org for more information on this year's contest, the three branches and you. americanday here on history tv, we take you live to fort mchenry in baltimore for a ceremony commemorating the 200th anniversary of the star-spangled banner. it will include remarks by former secretary of state colin powell. a largescott key saw american flag hoisted above the fort. he composed what would later become the u.s. national anthem. 200 years ago this august during the year of 1812, british soldiers invaded washington, d.c., and set fire to the white house and u.s. capitol building. president james madison and dolly madison fled the city. a donald hickey, author of "the war of 1812: a forgotten conflict." he