Free Republic

THE NIXON PARDON September 8, 1974 In an act of mercy which raised more questions than it resolved, President Ford, on Sunday morning, Sept. 8, granted former President Richard M. Nixon a "full, free and absolute pardon---for all offenses against the United States which he...has committed or may have committed" during his years as president. In a state-ment from his California home, Nixon accepted the pardon, saying that he would for the rest of his life bear the burden "that the way I tried to deal with Watergate was the wrong way." Later, White House Counsel Philip W. Buchen, ...

A FLAW IN THE CONSTITUTION Should the President-Elect Die is there a Provision to Take Care Of the Situation? The electoral colleges of the 50 States meet at their State capitals to cast their votes on the second Wednesday in December. Suppose the successful candidate dies before the electors meet in December? How would the electors of the 50 States determine who to vote for? Is there a provision in the Constitution of the United States to cover this point in any manner? The nearest approach was in 1872 when Horace Greeley, candidate of the coalition in opposition to ...

Tax the people; tax with care to help the multi-millionaire. Tax the farmer; tax his fowl Tax his dog and tax his howl, Tax his hen and tax her egg And let the boomin' mudsill beg. Tax his pig and tax his squeal; Tax his boots, run down at heel. Tax his horses; tax his lands, Tax the blisters on his hands. Tax his plow; and tax his clothes Tax the rag that wipes his nose. Tax his house and tax his bed; Tax the bald spot on his head Tax the ox and tax the ass Tax his "Henry" ...

Lincoln And Stanton- The Night After The Election of 1864 In the last number of theCentury MagazineMessrs. Hay and Nicolay narrate their idea of what happened at the War Department on the evening after the second election of President Lincoln in 1864. As they were not present their report must be a matter of hearsay. I do not know that any of the particulars they relate are deficient in accuracy, though I can testify that while I was there at that time I did not observe them. I was not usually on duty in the War Department at night; ...

My chestnuts on the fire were cooking, And I into the fire was looking Thinking of the days of yore, And as I sat there, thinking, smoking, There came a noise, though not the croaking Of "Poe's Raven" at the door. But of some one gently tapping, At first tapping, and then rapping To gain admittance through my door. 'Twas study hours, I thought, and winking At my room-mate who was thinking That it was that horrid bore, Al Gore A fellow who was known through college, Not for his learning, or his knowleldge In computer, or ancient lore; But ...

"THE BEAST IS DEAD" From The Nashville American On Ben Butler. "Old Ben Butler is dead! Early yesterday morning the angel of death, acting under the devil's orders, took him from earth and landed him in hell. In all this Southern country there are no tears, no sighs and no regrets. He lived only too long. We are glad he has at last been removed from earth and even pity the devil in the possession he has secured. "When Grant died, it was with the respect and esteem of the Southern people. When Sheridan died, all the harm he ...

IMPORTANT LETTER FROM J. WILKES BOOTH His original Purpose Was to Take Mr. Lincoln A Prisoner.---His Reasons For His Action. (From The Philadelphia Press, April 19, 1865) We have just received the following letter, written by John Wilkes Booth, and placed by him in the hands of his brother-in-law, J.S. Clarke. It was written by him in November last, and left with J. S. Clarke in a sealed envelope, and addressed to himself, in his own handwriting. In the same envelope were some United States bonds and oil stocks. This letter was opened by Mr. Clarke for the first time ...