Actually, it's merely a prerogative granted via holding the role of the Chief Executive. You get discretion to enforce or grant amnesty etc, because it's your job to set the priorities.
The pardon power, however, was never traditionally treated lightly, as it's use practically guaranteed you'd be right ticking off a potentially very large swathe of the populace by upsetting the smooth operation of the other branches. It was a check, undoubtedly, but one best used only wisely if for no other reason than to reassure the populace there was a commitment to faithfully executing the laws of the land, rather than everyone being at the mercy of a capricious and unstable tyrant/nepotist/other type of person you wouldn't want to see in the highest position of authority in the country.
The pardon power, however, was never traditionally treated lightly, as it's use practically guaranteed you'd be right ticking off a potentially very large swathe of the populace by upsetting the smooth operation of the other branches. It was a check, undoubtedly, but one best used only wisely if for no other reason than to reassure the populace there was a commitment to faithfully executing the laws of the land, rather than everyone being at the mercy of a capricious and unstable tyrant/nepotist/other type of person you wouldn't want to see in the highest position of authority in the country.