The founding fathers of the U.S. Constitution saw the importance of granting the president the power to pardon individuals for wrong acts. Alexander Hamilton stated in Federalist 74:
It is not to be doubted, that a single man of prudence and good sense is better fitted, in delicate conjunctures, to balance the motive which may plead for and against the remission of the punishment, than any numerous body whatever…[I]n seasons of insurrection or rebellion, there are often critical moments, when a well-timed offer of pardon to the insurgents or rebels may restore the tranquility of the commonwealth.
In other words, Hamilton believed that there were times when a pardon, if judged properly and given at the right time, could benefit everyone. Hopefully our presidents take Hamilton’s advice and grant pardons for the right reasons.
Sources:
U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 2
28 C.F.R. 1.1-1.10
The Whiskey Rebellion, William Hogeland (2006)
jurist.law.pitt.edu/pardons1
jurist.law.pitt.edu/pardons6
www.usdoj.gov
www.heritage.org