Cheney Hails Ford's Pardon of Nixon

What do you think about what Cheney said:

"It was this man, Gerald R. Ford, who led our republic safely though a crisis that could have turned to catastrophe," said Cheney, speaking in the Capitol Rotunda where Ford's body rested in a flag-draped casket. "Gerald Ford was almost alone in understanding that there can be no healing without pardon."

A few thoughts:
1. Presidents should not be above the law.
2. The pardon seemed to be necessary because there was so much chaos already, a trial or jailing of the former President of the United States could have sent the country even farther into turmoil.
3. Comparing yesterday to now: Clinton lied under oath, committed high crimes as defined by the Constitution...and he stayed in office..... I am a bit young here, but did Nixon himself commit a crime that would allow him to be removed from office?...or was he just doing what he thought was the correct move for the country? It is interesting to compare the two, and also compare what was acceptable with what is now acceptable.