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Negligence of its regulations, inattention to its recommendations, if not disobedience to its authority, not only in individuals but in States,
對法規的忽視，對其可取之處的無睹，即使尊重其權威，但對個人及各州，
soon appeared with their melancholy consequences universal languor, jealousies and rivalries of States, decline of navigation and commerce, discouragement of necessary manufactures,
也必須帶來令人沮喪的后果,各州的意志消沉，妒嫉和反叛，航海與商業的衰落，
universal fall in the value of lands and their produce, contempt of public and private faith, loss of consideration and credit with foreign nations,
必需品的減少，對外信譽與重要性的喪失，
and at length in discontents, animosities, combinations, partial conventions, and insurrection, threatening some great national calamity.
最終在不滿，怨恨，偏見及反叛中，給國家帶來巨大的災難，
In this dangerous crisis the people of America were not abandoned by their usual good sense, presence of mind, resolution, or integrity.
在這場嚴重的危機中，美國人民繼續保持著它的善意、鎮定、剛毅和韌性，
Measures were pursued to concert a plan to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity,
他們尋求制定計劃以及形成一個更加和諧的聯邦，建立司法體系，保證國內和平，
provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.
維護商業，促進普遍的福利，保障自由，
The public disquisitions, discussions, and deliberations issued in the present happy Constitution of Government.
公開的論辯，討論在當前良好的憲政之下得以發行。
Returning to the bosom of my country after a painful separation from it for ten years.
在外艱辛漂泊十年之后，重新回到祖國的懷抱，即
I had the honor to be elected to a station under the new order of things, and I have repeatedly laid myself under the most serious obligations to support the Constitution.
當選為總統，我始終認為維護憲法是最神圣的義務，
The operation of it has equaled the most sanguine expectations of its friends, and from an habitual attention to it, satisfaction in its administration,
它的實施是擁憲派最大的期盼，在對它的持續關注中，滿意于它的實施，
and delight in its effects upon the peace, order, prosperity, and happiness of the nation I have acquired an habitual attachment to it and veneration for it.
欣慰于它對和平、秩序、繁榮，及國家幸福的影響，我也已滿懷喜愛之意，崇敬之情。
What other form of government, indeed, can so well deserve our esteem and love?
確實，還有什么其他形式的政體，值得我們如此尊敬和熱愛呢？
There may be little solidity in an ancient idea that congregations of men into cities and nations are the most pleasing objects in the sight of superior intelligences,
古代有一種很不嚴密的觀念認為，人類聚集而形成城市和國家，是最令具有卓越見識的人感到愉悅的目標。
but this is very certain, that to a benevolent human mind there can be no spectacle presented by any nation more pleasing, more noble, majestic, or august,
但無可置疑的是，在善良的人們看來，任何國家所顯示的情景，
than an assembly like that which has so often been seen in this and the other Chamber of Congress, of a Government in which the Executive authority,
都不比這里和另一議院所經常見到的集會更令人喜悅，更高尚莊嚴，或者說更令人敬畏，
as well as that of all the branches of the Legislature, are exercised by citizens selected at regular periods by their neighbors to make and execute laws for the general good.
政府的行政權和國會各個機構的立法權，是由同胞們定期選出的公民來行使的，其目的是為公眾利益而制定和執行法律。
Can anything essential, anything more than mere ornament and decoration, be added to this by robes and diamonds?
難道官袍和鉆石能為此增添實質性的東西嗎？難道它們不就是一些裝飾品嗎？
Can authority be more amiable and respectable when it descends from accidents or institutions established in remote antiquity than when it springs fresh from the hearts and judgments of an honest and enlightened people?
難道因運而生或通過遠古制度而繼承的權力，會比誠實而卓識的人民按自己的意愿和判斷而產生的權力更可親可敬嗎？
For it is the people only that are represented.
因為這樣的政府唯一代表的是人民。
It is their power and majesty that is reflected, and only for their good, in every legitimate government, under whatever form it may appear.
它的各個各法機構，無論表現為何種形式，反映的都是人民的權利和尊嚴，并且只為人民謀利益。
The existence of such a government as ours for any length of time is a full proof of a general dissemination of knowledge and virtue 7 throughout the whole body of the people.
像我們這樣的政府，不論其將存在多久，都是對知識和美德在全人類傳播的充分證明。
And what object or consideration more pleasing than this can be presented to the human mind?
難道還有比這更令人喜悅的目標或構想能奉獻給人類觀念嗎？
If national pride is ever justifiable or excusable it is when it springs, not from power or riches, grandeur or glory, but from conviction of national innocence, information, and benevolence.
如果說民族自豪感歷來無可非議和情有可原，那么，這種自豪感必定不是來自權勢和財富，不是來自豪華和榮耀，而是來自堅信民族的純真、見識和仁愛。
