TLS signed “Jerry Ford,” two pages, 8 x 10.5, Congress of the United States letterhead, July 9, 1969. Ford, as House Minority Leader, writes to a constituent in support of President Richard Nixon’s policies. In part: “I have endorsed the President’s position…The congress and every committee in both the House and the Senate is controlled by the Democratic majority. The [Social Security] Committee refused to take up legislation; there is nothing which the President or any Republican member of the House can do…All of us are pleased with the appointment of Chief Justice Warren Burger by President Nixon. Justice Burger is the kind of man we can trust; he brings to the Court a strict judicial background and believes in strict construction of the Constitution…I think your comment on disorders and riots was especially pertinent. It is indeed regrettable when any citizens cannot walk the streets of any city without fear of attack. As you know, President Nixon and Attorney General Mitchell are dedicated to a policy of law and order.” In fine condition, with faint wrinkling. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.
America in the late 1960s was marked by civil unrest and social upheaval, including anti-war protests over the involvement of US military forces in the Vietnam. History shows that times would become much worse. In this letter, Ford says it is "indeed regrettable when any citizen cannon walk the streets ... without fear of attack"; less than a year later students were fearful of peaceful protests after Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire at Kent State University. Even more ironic is Ford’s comment that “President Nixon and Attorney General Mitchell are dedicated to a policy of law and order”—as both men would be involved in the Watergate scandal that caused a national crisis and eventually catapulted Ford to the presidency. The same holds true for Chief Justice Burger, described by Ford as “the kind of man we can trust” with a belief in the “strict construction of the Constitution”...as well as one of the men who, in 1974, led the Supreme Court in a unanimous 8-0 decision against President Nixon and his attempt to keep memos and tapes relating to the Watergate Affair private. Unusually interesting content made all the more arousing with the passage of time. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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