faith, in one another. sustain by our faith in god who created us and striving always to serve this purpose.

ladies, gentlemen, the vice president of the united states and mrs. ford.

mr. vice president, are you prepared to take the oath of office as president of the united states? i am sure. if you will raise your right hand and repeat me. i, gerald, for do solemnly swear. i, gerald ford, do solemnly that i will faithfully execute. that i will faithfully execute. office of president of the united states. the office of president. the united states. and will to the best of my ability and will to the best my ability. preserve, protect and defend and

preserve and defend constitution of the united states. the constitution of the united. so help me god. so help me. ladies, gentlemen, the president of the united states.

mr. chief justice, my dear friends, my fellow americans, the oath that i have taken is the same oath that was taken by george washington and by every president under the constitution. but i assume the presidency under extraordinary circumstances, never before express by americans. this is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts. therefore, i feel it is my first duty to make an end precedented, compact with my countrymen, not at inaugural address, not a

fireside chat, not a campaign speech, just a little straight talk among friends. and i intended to be the first of many. i am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots. so i ask you to confirm me as your president, with your prayers and. and i hope that such prayers also be the first of many. if you have not chosen by secret ballot, neither have i gained office by any secret promises. i have not campaigned either for the presidency or the vice presidency. i have not subscribe to any partizan platform. i am indebted to no man and only

to one woman. my dear wife. as i began this, very difficult job. i have not sought this enormous responsibility. but i will not shirk. those who nominated and confirmed me as vice president were my friends and are my friends. they were of both parties, elected by all the people and acting under the constitution, in their name. it is only then that i should to them and to you, that i will be the president of all the people. thomas jefferson said, the people are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberties and down the years. abraham lincoln renewed this american article of faith, asking is there any better way

or equal hope in the world? i intend next monday next to a request of the speaker of the house of representatives and the president pro tempore of the senate the privilege of appearing before the congress to share with former colleagues and, with you with the american people my views on the priority business of the nation and solicit your views and their views. and may i say to the speaker and the others if i could meet with you right after this remarks, i would appreciate it. even though this late in an election. there is no we can go forward, fix up together and no way anybody can win except by serving the people urgent needs. we cannot stand still or slip.

we must go forward now. together for the peoples, the governments of all friendly nations. and i hope that could encompass the whole world. i pledge an uninterrupted, sincere search for peace. america will remains strong and united, but its strength will be it will remain dedicated to the safety and sanity of the entire family of man, as well as to our own precious freedom. i believe that truth is the glue, that government together, not only our government, but civilization. it's self that bonds those stained is unbroken at home and abroad. in all my public and private as your president.

i expect to follow my instincts of openness, candor with full confidence that is always the best policy. in the end. my fellow americans. our long national nightmare is over. constitution works. our great republic is a government of laws and not of man. here, the people rule. but there is a higher power by whatever name. we honor him who ordains not only righteousness, but love not only justice. but mercy. as we bind up the wounds of watergate more painful, more poisonous than those of wars. let restore the golden rule to our political process and let brotherly love purge our hearts

of, suspicion and of hate. in the beginning, i asked to pray for me. before closing, i ask again your prayers for richard nixon and for his. may. former president who brought peace millions find it for himself. may god bless and comfort his. wonderful wife and daughters whose, love and loyalty will forever be shining. legacy to all who bear lonely burdens of. the white house. i can only guess that those all

the life witnessed at close hand the tragedies that befell presidents and the lesser of others. with all the strength and all the good i have gained from life, with all the confidence of my family, my friends, and my dedicated staff to me and, with the good will of countless americans i have encountered in recent to 40 states. i now solemnly reaffirm my promise. i made you last december sixth to uphold a constant. to do what is right as god gives me to see the right, and to do the very best i can for america. god helping, me.

i will not let you down. thank you.