If the pomp and ceremony of a state funeral in Washington’s National Cathedral contrasted with its subject’s unassuming character, it also confirmed that history has recognised the merits of his most controversial act. President Bush described it in a eulogy as the “tough and decent decision” to grant his predecessor Richard Nixon immunity for his role in covering up the Watergate burglary.

“In President Ford, the world saw the best of America, and America found a man whose character and leadership would bring calm and healing to one of the most divisive moments in our nation’s history,” he said.

Mr Bush, who hopes that history will be a kinder judge than his contemporary critics of his political decisions, recalled Mr Ford as “a man whose name was a synonym for integrity”. He called him a “rock of stability” amid the post-Watergate turmoil.

The White House has been anxious to draw parallels between Mr Bush and Mr Ford, several of whose decisions between 1974 and 1976 have since been vindicated. Many believe his pardon for Nixon cost him the 1976 election. In a tribute to Mr Ford on Saturday, and in a subtle reference to Iraq, Dick Cheney, the Vice-President, said: “In politics it can take a generation or more for a matter to settle, for tempers to cool.”

George Bush Sr, the President’s father, said that Mr Ford had brought the nation together after Watergate. “History has a way of matching man and moment,” he said.

After three days in which the public filed past the flag-draped casket inside the Rotunda of the US Capitol, Mr Ford’s body was taken to the cathedral, where his life was celebrated by a congregation crackling with history and political power. Among the 3,700 congregation the thread of history, from Vietnam to next year’s presidential campaign, was remarkable.

Henry Kissinger, Secretary of State to Nixon and Mr Ford, delivered another eulogy. Jimmy Carter, who defeated Mr Ford in 1976, sat close to Nancy Reagan, whose husband defeated him in 1980. Next to them was the first President Bush and the man who destroyed his re-election prospects in 1992, Bill Clinton, with his wife, Hillary, who is expected to announce her 2008 White House ambitions soon.

On a sunny and blustery morning, Mr Ford’s casket was carried by a military honour guard down the US Capitol’s 45 steps to the hearse, a
21-gun salute booming in the distance. Lined up to watch the coffin pass were his widow, Betty, and honourary pallbearers including Donald Rumsfeld and Mr Cheney, both chiefs of staff to Mr Ford, and Bob Dole, Mr Ford’s running mate in 1976.

A motorcade crawled through Washington, thousands lining the streets. As it approached the White House, the mansion’s staff stood on Pennsylvania Avenue. Then the cavalcade made its way past the US Naval Observatory, the home of US vice-presidents and Mr Ford’s residence when he replaced Spiro Agnew, and on to the cathedral, which dominates the city’s skyline.

Hundreds more surrounded the cathedral, including JoAnn Davidson, who worked on Mr Ford’s 1976 campaign. “He was a wonderful person, the right person for the times,” she said. The cathedral bell tolled 38 times to mark the death of America’s 38th president.

Inside there was music by Bach, Mendelssohn and Brahms, and Aaron Copeland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, a reflection of Mr Ford’s modest, solid Midwestern roots that marked his political style.

After the service Mr Ford’s body was flown on Mr Bush’s presidential aircraft to his home town of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Today he will be buried there, just north of the Ford Presidential Library.

Main mourners

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