rl,uril*y. September 19, 1974
the pardon (Continued from Page 2)
Mr Ford claimed that “there are no historic or legal precedents
fthat) precisely fit the circumstances” of this pardon. This is
• •' g to my knowledge no single person has ever been pardoned
to an indictment. The precedents show that individuals have
groups have been given blanket amnesty prior to specific
n pardoned after indictment and conviction on the one hand, and
tments on the other. More than a hundred years ago President
\ndrew Johnson caused an uproar in this country when, only six
meks after succeeding Lincoln to his high office, he granted a par-
In to all ordinary Southerners who had participated in armed war-
against the Union. In this and in other cases the Supreme Court
L upheld the Presidential prerogative. Justice Holmes wrote In
Biddle^v. Perovich (1927); “A pardon ... is not a private act of grace
■rom an individual happening to possess power. It is a part of the
institutional scheme. When granted it is the determination of the
Ultimate authority that the public welfare will be better served by
nflicting less than what the (judicial process would normally re
rue only because no ex-President ever needed to be pardoned, and
this point the question of equal justice under the law comes
0 niind. The President is involved in the lawmaking process; he
.pgcifically has to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed”
’institution, Article II, Section 3); he appoints federal judges and
jrosecutors (U. S. attorneys); and he must enforce laws and court
jrders wherever judicial proceedings prove insufficient to deal with
nstances of civil defiance. But the President is not instrumental in
udicial proceedings as such. Interpretation and application of the
aws determination of criminal guilt, conviction and punishment for
■rimes committed, even the need to “keep the record straight” (as
las been demanded for the Nixon affairs) are all up to the courts, the
udges and juries, and ultimately to historians. These matters enter
he sphere of Presidential decision making only in extraordinary cir-
:umstances when legal and political considerations collide.
,Any personal closeness or concern for a defendant is also clearly
lutside the legitimate grounds on which a Presidential pardon can be
nven. The President cannot be a “respecter of persons” unless the
ate of someone — anyone affects the political climate of the nation,
listurbs civil tranquility, obstructs the general welfare, and so on.
Jr. Ford seemed aware of this when he said that his concern was
vith “the immediate future of this great country” rather than with
‘the ultimate fate of Richard Nixon” adding that he dared “not
lepend upon . . . (his) personal sympathy as a long-time friend of the
brmer president.”
'when the question of the nation’s welfare is invoked, a pardon
)ften ends up being less than egalitarian. Cases are singled out on
tsjbehalf which discriminate in a strictly legal sense in favor of a
person or group. And pardons are not democratic in principle since
he chief of state is called upon to make one of those lonely decisions
^'hich, as Mr. Ford stressed, are based on his “conscience” and “what
s fight as God gives . . . (him) to see the right.” The very concept
)f prerogative implies that for a President “the buck stops here and
hat. . . (he) cannot rely upon public opinion polls to tell . . . (him)
vhat is right.”
A Presidential pardon can be made conditional upon acceptance
)yJhe person or group pardoned. This acceptance is usually in form
if a reciprocal act or gesture designed to serve the purpose of the
lardon even further. The amnesty proclamation for Southerners at
he end of the Civil War required that each person take an oath of
illegiance to the United States. It has been said that President Ford
mew in advance what Mr. Nixon’s letter of acceptance would contain,
t seems to me that some admission of guilt would have been expected
ind exacted from Mr. Nixon. As a matter of fact, the letter turned
lut to be the most remorseful statement by the former President to
late. Mr. Nixon’s euphemisms that he “was wrong in not acting more
iecisively and more forthrightly in dealing with Watergate” cannot
:over up the intended meaning that he in fact neglected his Presiden-
ial duties and that he lied to the American people. This letter, Mr.
feon’s admissions of the week of August 5th (forcing him to resign
rom office), his edited transcripts, and much circumstantial evidence
lomplete the picture of Presidential guilt.
1 jin his pardon announcement President Ford made two personal
■eferences to “Richard Nixon and his loyal wife and family” and to
‘Richard Nixon and his loved ones” as “an American tragedy in
^'hich we all have played a part” and having “suffered enough.’ Ap-
larently this was thought to put Mr. Nixon’s culpability in relation
0 a punishment already received. The question of whether one fits
he other may be answered by looking at the nature of the crime
velare dealing with. From the time of the Watergate breakdn until
ie|eft office, Mr. Nixon appeared on TV time and again vowing that
le would clear up the facts of the case and bring those involved be-
ore the bars of justice. All of that time, however, he was scheming
•0 hush up those facts and to protect many potential defendants from
wosecution. His insincerity and irresponsibility were aggravated by
3n incidental breach of his oath of office; Mr. Nixon did not faithfully
-xecute the laws applicable to Watergate and related scandals. As
•his became felt and known, the fine web of identification linking
roters and non-voters with the center of their political system was
-Ut; a web which makes people sense great personal loss when an
incumbent President dies (FDR) or is killed (JFK). By not pursuing
hejnational good as he publicly professed to see it, Mr. Nixon in a
sense committed political treason. But the criminal justice system
? country does not cover such political default. The only remedy
IS impeachment and removal from office which until this day is con
sidered fitting and sufficient. By committing Presidential suicide,
IS resigning from office before his actual conviction in the Senate,
r. Nixon implicitly accepted the guilt and executed the punishment.
His much coveted seat of honor in the annals of history went out with
him and “the depths of (his) regret and pain” may well accompany
every day of the life that is left to” him. Mr. Nixon said these words
in hpceptance letter and his successor in office affirmed this fee-
nu ^h^'hg that he expected Mr. Nixon “to suffer no matter what . . .
IMr Ford would) do, no matter what we as a great and good nation
can do together ...”
fni- from the substantive question of the pardon, there is ™oi^
kpj,f°hbting Mr. Ford’s wisdom in timing it as he did. Sandwiched
drafi^^” President’s procrastination on the amnesty of Vietnam
grnli 2nd deserters where many families are also suffering
pains, and his drawn-out bull sessions on
flirts all families of this country all the time, I cannot he p
TH€ SALtMIT*
Dates Set for NTE
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY,
September 9. College seniors pre
paring to teach school may take
the National Teacher Examina
tions on any of the four different
test dates announced today by
Educational Testing Service, a
nonprofit, educational organiza
tion which prepares and adminis
ters this testing program.
New dates for the testing of
prospective teachers are: Novem
ber 9, 1974, and January 25, April
5, and July 19, 1975. The tests will
be given at nearly 500 locations
throughout the United States, ETS
said.
Results of the National Teacher
Examinations are used by many
large school districts as one of
several factors in the selection of
new teachers and by several
states for certification or licensing
of teachers. Some colleges also
require all seniors preparing to
teach to take the examinations.
On each full day of testing,
prospective teachers may take the
Common Examinations which
measure their professional prepa
ration and general educational
background and an Area Exami
nation which measures their mas
tery of the subject they expect to
teach.
Prospective teachers should con
tact the school systems in which
they seek employment, or their
colleges for specific advice on
which examinations to take and
on which dates they should be
taken.
The Bulletin of Information for
Candidates contains a list of test
centers, and information about
the examinations, as well as a
Registration Form. Copies may
be obtained from college place
ment officers, school personnel
departments, or directly from Na
tional Teacher Examinations, Box
911, Educational Testing Service,
Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
Arts Council
Celebrates
25th Anniversary
Craftsmen, Musicians, Actors,
people interested in enjoying the
arts — will gather in Winston-
Salem on Sunday afternoon, Sep
tember 22nd to celebrate the 25th
anniversary of our arts council
(the nation’s oldest) with a Down
town Festival, “STREET SCENE
25.” Whatever arts you and your
family enjoy — country, classical
or contemporary — “STREET
SCENE 25” will have something
to offer, and all of it will be free.
Programs will include the Spi
vey Corner Hollerers, the Brass
Quintet of the North Carolina
Symphony, the Chigger-Slappin’
Shine Sippin’ Summer Jugband,
the Amani Urithi Drama Troupe,
the Jazz Mobile, cloggin’ exhibi
tions, street theatre, the Hussite
Bell Ringers, blue grass perform
ers, marching bands, gospel
groups, on and on. Over sixty
artists and craftsmen from
throughout the Piedmont will be
displaying and selling their wares.
You will also be able to sample
culinary delights prepared by
some of the area’s best cooks.
Bring your family, friends and
neighbors to downtown Winston-
Salem on Sunday afternoon, Sep
tember 22nd, for “STREET
SCENE 25”.
Page Three
Need Advice For Nite On The Town?
Try It — You Might Like It, Freshmen!
By Katherine Skinner
Freshmen, if you are lucky to
rate a big sister or advisor to
take you “out on the town”, you
need to know where to go! If you
are the sneaky freshman and
have a car on campus, then you
do not have to wait around for
someone to make the offer.
Some days you could be in a
happy hour mood. I would sug
gest the Man of War Lounge
located in the Holiday Inn, At-
tila’s Cave located in the Down
towner, or The Cabana Club
located in the Hilton. Business
men usually frequent these
places. Who knows; you may luck
out and get a free steak dinner.
When deciding where to go for
happy hour, remember at the
Cabana Club you may see a
friendly face from Salem (if you
leave a tip!). Also with inflation
some of the bars have eliminated
the free popcorn!
Maybe socializing was more
what popped into the back of
your mind. The Safari Room is
loaded with KA’s and Kappa
Sigs. The White Horse Pub offers
the fraternity atmosphere as well
as the individual taste. The
White Horse Pub is especially
anxious for Salem students to
drop in as was displayed by their
banner welcoming us back to
school.
Simo’s is a bar that looks like
a truck stop and has food to pre
pare on order when the munchies
strike. Simo’s has the coolest
beer in town. If drinking and eat
ing were in your plans, I recom
mend Shakey’s also.
Last year I discovered the Red
Lion. If all you want is a beer
and a quiet place, the Red Lion
will fill the order.
Sometimes the urge to dance
strikes. Uncle Sam’s provides
good and bad bands if you do
not mind red-necks or the high
school set. They quit giving away
free beer and hotdogs anyway.
Attila’s Cave provides music to
dance by also.
Ken’s drive-in is right down the
street for all you freshmen with
no transportation. Beer is cheap
— 450 for a tall — and the
Clientele is unique.
The places I recommend to
avoid are The Sheraton Lounge
and Samoa’s Lounge. One time at
either place and I am sure you
will share my sentiments! The
TOG doesn’t offer much better
circumstances either.
Inflation has hit Schlitz as hard
as the consumer. As a result the
consumer must pay 550 at most
places of business for beer.
Nine more days until I get my
walking cast. Nine more days
and I’ll drink with you.
It's been
Reznick's for Records
for Years
TAPES - SHEET MUSIC - RECORDS
DOWNTOWN
440 N. LIBERTY
THRUWAY SHOPPING CENTER
OPEN NITES 'TIL 9:00
OUR THRUWAY STORE HAS A COMPLETE STOCK OF
TAPE CASES and MUSIC BOOKS
JEWEL BOX
DIAMOND SPECIALISTS FOR OVER 50 YEARS
Thruway Shopping Center
722-3211
Five convenient ways to buy:
Revolving Charge • Custom Charge • BankAmericard Master Charge
• Layaway
Zinzendorf Laundry
& Dry Cleaning
DRY CLEANING - STORAGE
1000 SOUTH MAIN ST.
DIAL 722-5178
FOR FASHIONS OF QUALITY
COUPLED WITH METICULOUS SERVICE.
IVIONTAldo's
Montaldo’s, 311 W. Fourth St., Winston-Salem
wondering what the rush was all about. While making a bold move
ex parte Nixon, Mr. Ford appeared to give in to the pressure from
veteran bosses against even the mildest form of pardon, and he is
even now listening patiently to the cacophonous suggestions by private
interest groups and specialists regarding the inflation, when brave
and rapid action may be the first order of the day. We are left to
hope that no illicit pressure and “cooked up” informaUon by certain
interested persons and parties went into the decision to pardon
Richard Nixon.
White Horse Says
Welcome
Back
Salem Ladies