The most noted quote from former President Gerald Ford after his death Tuesday was made the day he was sworn in following the resignation of President Nixon: "Our long national nightmare is over."

But it is the words that follow that have the most significance, "Our Constitution works. Our great republic is a government of laws and not men."

With the passage of more than three decades, it is easy to forget the crisis that faced the country at the time.

The White House and the nation were in chaos.

Two top Justice Department officials resigned rather than carry out the president's order to fire the special prosecutor who was investigating him. Nixon refused to turn over material to Congress, forcing the matter to the Supreme Court.

Nixon resigned as impeachment appeared imminent.

Ford stepped into this mess with his Midwestern sensibilities and common touch, restoring the public's faith in the White House and the political process.

A month later, he granted a full, unconditional pardon to Nixon.

It was an act of statesmanship that helped the nation move forward but doomed his chances for election - Jimmy Carter made it a key issue in their 1976 campaign.

In this era of caustic commentary and bitter partisanship, we need more politicians like Gerald Ford: people who put the nation's needs before their own; people who care about what's best for the country, not what's best for their election; people of honesty and integrity.

That is the legacy Ford leaves from his 25 years of service in Congress and more than two years as president in a time of turmoil and transition.