Kids’ Letters to Ford

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The following letters to President Ford were sent from children during his term in office.

November 26, 1974

Dear Mr. Ford,

I am in 5th grade at "Grove Park School" Burlington, N.C. and we are studying ecology. We have seen films about streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes and how they are polluted and I think that we should have a law passed that if you litter you should be put in jail. I am sure you would like a cleaner environment. I hope you will have the law passed.

Your friend,

Becky

Burlington, N.C.

* * * * *

September 11, 1974

Dear Mr. President,

I'm sure that you have heard this all before but I feel that even though I cannot vote yet, my feelings are important too. The Constitution says equal justice for all under the law. But by pardoning former President Nixon you have set a double standard for presidents. He hadn't even been brought to trial and you pardoned him. I thought EVERYONE was innocent until prove guilty. If you need a pardon then you have done something wrong. Also there are people in jail now who went to trial and for lesser crimes too. And I'm sure their families are suffering too. To pardon one man is not just. And pardoning all men would do no good either. All in all, it was not a very good thing to do.

Sincerely,

Nora

Denver, Colorado

* * * * *

September 19, 1974

Dear Mr. President,

My name is John Aglio and I would like to express my opinion about your not pressing charges against ex-President Nixon.

I do not have to be an adult to know that you did the right thing. I am only eleven years old, but I do understand enough to say to you that Mr. Nixon was punished a great deal by resigning, and that now he should be left alone with his family.

Thank you for reading my opinion.

Respectfully yours,

John

Brooklyn, NY

* * * * *

September 11,1974

Dear President Ford,

I am writing to you because I am concerned about your decision to pardon Mr. Nixon. In my opinion I think that Mr. Nixon should have been tried before being pardoned. If he is found guilty he should be sent to prison like the rest of the people involved. Just because he was president does not give him any right to do something wrong and not get punished for his crimes. Other nations of the world will look down upon the United States because the leader that was chosen by the people has committed a crime and he has gotten away with it. I feel that most people of the United States are disappointed in your decision and I strongly feel that you should reconsider your decision.

Sincerely Yours,

Nanci

Old Bethpage, New York

* * * * *

Dear Mr. President,

I truly think that if your conscience told you to grant a pardon to Mr. Nixon I think that you did the right thing. And I also think that Mr. Nixon has paid enough to the United States by resigning from the highest position in the country. I know if you did not give Mr. Nixon a pardon the public would like you better but you did what you thought was best and I thought it was the best thing to do.

Yours Truly,

Joe, Grade 8

St. James School

Johnson City, N.Y.

 

Letters submitted by the Gerald R. Ford Library.

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