“It could go on and on and on, or someone must write "The End" to it. I have concluded that only I can do that, and if I can, I must.”

— Gerald Ford

1970s, Remarks on pardoning Nixon (1974)
Context: I have asked your help and your 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. And I have sought 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.
Theirs is an American tragedy in which we all have played a part. It could go on and on and on, or someone must write "The End" to it. I have concluded that only I can do that, and if I can, I must.

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American politician, 38th President of the United States (i… 1913–2006

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