評論
打印
In our whole system,national and State,
在我們的整個體系中，無論是國家的還是州立的，
we have shunned all the defects which unceasingly preyed on the vitals and destroyed the ancient Republics.
我們已避免了所有那些不停地危及利害，顛覆古代共和國的缺陷。
In them there were distinct orders,a nobility and a people,
它們中有明顯的不同制度：或是一個貴族和一個民眾，
or the people governed in one assembly.
或是由一個議會來管理民眾。
Thus,in the one instance there was a perpetual conflict between the orders in society for the ascendency,
這樣，在一個情況下社會的各階級之間存在著無休止的沖突，
in which the victory of either terminated in the overthrow of the government and the ruin of the state;
其中任何一方的勝利都會造成推翻政府和國家覆亡；
in the other,in which the people governed in a body,
而在另一個情況下，人民由一個政體來統治，
and whose dominions seldom exceeded the dimensions of a county in one of our States,
而且其領土極少超過我們某個州的一個縣的大小，
a tumultuous and disorderly movement permitted only a transitory existence.
喧鬧而混亂的運動只允許一個短暫的生存。
In this great nation there is but one order,that of the people,whose power,
在我們這一偉大的國家只有一個制度，人民的制度；
by a peculiarly happy improvement of the representative principle,is transferred from them,
通過一個對代表制度非常完善的改進，按自由，開明，高效的政府的需要。
without impairing in the slightest degree their sovereignty,to bodies of their own creation,
他們的權利完全地被轉移到他們自己所創立的多個政體，
and to persons elected by themselves,in the full extent necessary for all the purposes of free,enlightened and efficient government.
和他們選出的人員中，而沒有絲毫損害他們的主權。
The whole system is elective,the complete sovereignty being in the people,
整個體制以選舉為基礎，主權徹底屬于人民，
and every officer in every department deriving his authority from and being responsible to them for his conduct.
而且每個部門的每個官員的權力都來自于他們，并要對他們負責其行為舉止。
Our career has correspond with this great outline.
我們的事業和這一宏偉的大綱相一致。
Perfection in our organization could not have been expected in the outset either in the National or State Governments or in tracing the line between their respective powers.
不能期望一開始在國家或州立的政府中，或是在它們各自權力之間的界線追溯中就完善我們的組織。
But no serious conflict has arisen,nor any contest but such as are managed by argument and by a fair appeal to the good sense of the people,
但是，我們沒有嚴重的沖突，也沒有任何紛爭；而且這些可通過辨論處理，也通過公正地求助于民眾的理智來解決。
and many of the defects which experience had clearly demonstrated in both Governments have been remedied,
并且我們也醫治了許多以往經歷中以上兩種政府所顯示出的缺點。
By steadily pursuing this course in this spirit there is every reason to believe that our system will soon attain the highest degree of perfection of which human institutions are capable,
通過堅定地以此精神實行此路線，我們完全有理由相信，我們的體制將很快達到人類機構所可能達到的最高程度的完善，
and that the movement in all its branches will exhibit such a degree of order and harmony as to command the admiration and respect of the civilized world.
并且，其所有分部的發展將展示一定程度的條理和諧調，以致引來文明世界的羨慕和尊敬。
Entering with these views the office which I have just solemnly sworn to execute with fidelity and to the utmost of my ability,
帶著這些想法，即將進入我剛莊嚴宣誓要以忠心并盡我所能來履行的職責，
I derive great satisfaction from a knowledge that I shall be assisted in the several Departments by the very enlightened and upright citizens from whom I have received so much aid in the preceding term.
我因確信我將在多個部門中得到一組非常開明和正直的公民的輔助而感到非常滿意。我的前任已給了我很多幫助。
With full confidence in the continuance of that candor and generous indulgence from my fellow citizens at large which I have heretofore experienced,
完全相信我至今為止所受到的同胞們普遍的坦誠和慷慨寬容會延續下去，
and with a firm reliance on the protection of Almighty God.
并堅定地依靠全能上帝的保護，
I shall forthwith commence the duties of the high trust to which you have called me.
現在我就將開始你們召喚我上任的被賦予如此高度信任的職務。
