評論
打印
I should be destitute of feeling if I was not deeply affected by the strong proof which my fellow citizens have given me of the their confidence in calling me to the high office whose functions I am about to assume.
同胞們滿懷信心地召喚我出任這一重要職務，令我十分感動，不然我就是一個缺乏感情的人。
As the expression of their good opinion of my conduct in the public service,
這表明同胞們甚為嘉許我的公職行為，我對此感到心滿意足，而唯有竭盡全力做了值得夸獎的工作的人，才能有這種感受。
I derive from it a gratification which those who are conscious of having done all that they could to merit it can alone feel.
我能正確估計到這一職務的重要性以及承擔這一義務的性質和范圍，
My sensibility is increased by a just estimate of the importance of the trust and of the nature and extent of its duties,
密切相連的義務感受也隨之而增加。
with the proper discharge of which the highest interests of a great and free people are intimately connected.
所以我對于正確地履行同我們這一偉大自由民族的崇高利益，
Conscious of my own deficiency,I cannot enter on these duties without great anxiety for the result.
由于意識到自己的不足，所以在開始履行這些義務時，我無法不對將來的結果表示極大的憂慮。
From a just responsibility I will never shrink,
對應盡的責任我決不會裹足不前。
calcuating with confidence that in my best efforts to promote the public welfare my motives will always be duly appreciated,
我頗負信心地認為，只要我盡力促進公共福利，人們就始終會恰當地評價我的動機，
and my conduct be viewed with that candor and indulgence which I have experienced in other stations.
而且會以公正和愛護的眼光來看待我的行為，就像我在其他職位上已經經歷過的那樣。
From the commencement of our Revolution to the present day almost forty years have elapsed,
從獨立革命至今幾乎已過去40個春秋，
and from the establishment of this Constitution twenty eight.
而憲法的制定也已有28載。
Through this whole term the Government has been what may emphatically be called self-government.
在此其間，我們的政府一直被強調為自治政府。
And what has been the effect?
其結果如何呢？
To whatever object we turn our attention,whether it relates to our foreign or domestic concerns,
無論我們將目光轉向何處，不論是國外問題還是國內問題，
we find abundant cause to felicitate ourselves in the excellence of our institutions.
我們都有足夠的理由慶幸我們擁有優越的制度。
During a period fraught with difficulties and marked by very extraordinary events the United States have flourished beyond example.
在充滿艱辛和非凡事件的歲月里，我們的合眾國還是取得了空前的繁榮，
Their citizens individually have been happy and the nation prosperous.
公民們個個幸福歡樂，國家昌盛發達。
To secure us against these dangers our coast and inland frontiers should be fortified,
為了保障我們免受傷害，我們的海上和陸地防御都應得到加強，
our Army and Navy,regulated upon just principles as to the force of each,
在正義原則指導下的海陸軍，
be kept in perfect order,and our militia be placed on the best practicable footing.
應保持最佳狀態，國民自衛隊也應保持高度戒備。
To put our extensive coast in such a state of defense as to secure our cities and interior from invasion coast in such a state of defense as to secure our cities and interior from invasion will be attended with expense,
為了使我們的城市和內陸不受侵略，而將廣闊的沿海地區處于防御狀態將耗資巨大，
but the work when finished will be permanent,and it is fair to presume that a single campaign of invasion by a naval force superior to our own,
此項工程一旦完成，其功效將是長久的，但可以設想，
aided by a few thousand land troops,would expose us to greater expense,
由幾千陸軍配合的一次小小的先發制人的海上侵略將使我們遭受比修建這次工程還要大得多的損失，
without taking into the estimate the loss of property and distress of our citizens,than would be sufficient for this great work.
這還不包括財產損失和人民志氣的衰退。
Our land and naval forces should be moderate,
我們應保持陸海軍的適度規模，
but adequate to the necessary purposes the former to garrison and preserve our fortifications and to meet the first invasions of a foreign,
但又必須有足夠的駐軍保衛國界，防御外敵突襲：
