Gerald Ford Inauguration

Vice President Gerald Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States after the resignation of President Nixon.

President Ford's Inaugural Address:

[Oath of Office administered by Chief Justice Warren E. Burger]

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 experienced 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 unprecedented compact with my countrymen. Not an inaugural address, not a fireside chat, not a campaign speech -- just a little straight talk among friends. And I intend it to be the first of many.

I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers. And I hope that such prayers will also be the first of many. If you have not chosen me 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 subscribed to any partisan platform. I am indebted to no man, and only to one woman -- my dear wife -- as I begin this very difficult job.

I have not sought this enormous responsibility, but I will not shirk it. 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 fitting then that I should pledge 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 liberty. 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, on Monday next, to 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 my former colleagues and with you, the American people, my views on the priority business of the Nation and to solicit your views and their views. And may I say to the Speaker and the others, if I could meet with you right after these remarks, I would appreciate it.

Even though this is late in an election year, there is no way we can go forward except together and no way anybody can win except by serving the people's urgent needs. We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together.

To the peoples and the governments of all friendly nations, and I hope that could encompass the whole world, I pledge an uninterrupted and sincere search for peace. America will remain strong and united, but its strength 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 holds government together, not only our Government but civilization itself. That bond, though stained, is unbroken at home and abroad.

In all my public and private acts as your President, I expect to follow my instincts of openness and candor with full confidence that honesty is always the best policy in the end.

My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.

Our Constitution works. Our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men. 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 internal wounds of Watergate, more painful and more poisonous than those of foreign wars, let us 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 you to pray for me. Before closing, I ask again your prayers, for Richard Nixon and for his family. May our former President, who brought peace to millions, find it for himself. May God bless and comfort his wonderful wife and daughters, whose love and loyalty will forever be a shining legacy to all who bear the lonely burdens of the White House. I can only guess at those burdens, although I have witnessed at close hand the tragedies that befell three Presidents and the lesser trials of others.

With all the strength and all the good sense I have gained from life, with all the confidence of my family, my friends, and my dedicated staff impart to me, and with the good will of countless Americans I have encountered in recent visits to 40 States, I now solemnly reaffirm my promise I made to you last December 6: To uphold the Constitution; 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.

• Category

  Education

[quarf53206]

Gerald ford was a good man. We need more politicians like him. Someone who was more interesting in public service. Someone who was willing to be unpopular just to do in what was in his mind the right thing

[MrWingedhorse]

A good man, didn't ask to be president but still took that burden and returned the presidency to a place of honor that it had been dragged from.

[Hamilton Roque Cueva]

esHORAde la verdad.PORFAVOR LES COMPARTO ESTA INFORMACION, Y ESPERO QUE USTEDES Lo COMPARTAN CON TODOS. Gerald Ford fue un maldito satanista, pedofilo, y corrupto presidente...esto es un hecho y hay pruebas... todo es parte de un proyecto conocido como el PROYECTO MONARCA MK Ultra, COMO ES POSIBLE QUE UN INDIVIDUO ASI GOBIERNE UN PAIS,es atroz y repugnante.porfavor lean este libro Trance-Formacion de America, y se daran cuentas de lo que los lideres ocultan a la HUMANIDAD.luchemos por la verdad

[Hamilton Roque Cueva]

esHORAde la verdad.PORFAVOR LES COMPARTO ESTA INFORMACION, Y ESPERO QUE USTEDES Lo COMPARTAN CON TODOS. Gerald Ford fue un maldito satanista, pedofilo, y corrupto presidente...esto es un hecho y hay pruebas... todo es parte de un proyecto conocido como el PROYECTO MONARCA MK Ultra, COMO ES POSIBLE QUE UN INDIVIDUO ASI GOBIERNE UN PAIS,es atroz y repugnante.porfavor lean este libro Trance-Formacion de America, y se daran cuentas de lo que los lideres ocultan a la HUMANIDAD.luchemos por la verdad

[quarf53206]

Also have to say with you have to say that It was a good thing that Carl Albert gave Nixon no Choice but Ford for the Vice Presidency when Nixon wanted advice about nominating someone to replace Spiro Agnew

[TheDaveMaybe]

Ford is the last good Republican president we had. Great job Ford and Rest in Peace!

[brad96100]

Well Fuck You then

[Ben Middleton]

Fuck Ford! He never should've pardond Nixon. One bastard conservative crook to another. I'll be liberal for the rest of my life And be damn proud of it. Liberals don't cut education, Or defunded it. The created our civil rights and social rights. The working-class party of America, Who cares about fair and equal pay for all. They want healthcare not wealth care. Republicans have been trying to rewrite history since the Great Depression. Fuck them!!!

[vinny james]

baecause im not a good looking. i just have strong european features