評論
打印
Fellow-Countrymen: at this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office
同胞們：在第二次宣誓就職總統的時候，
there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first.
我不必像第一次那樣作長篇的演講了。
Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper.
第一次就職典禮上，較為詳盡地敘述我們要采取的方針和道路，看來是合適與恰當的。
Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest
現在，在我的四年任期結束之時，有關這場至今仍為舉國矚目與致力的大斗爭的每個方面，
which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented.
時時有公開的宣告，因此沒有新的內容向各位奉告了。
The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself,
我們的一切都依靠武裝力量，這方面的進展，大家知道得和我一樣清楚,
and it is, I trust,reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all.
我相信大家對此頗感滿意和鼓舞。
With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.
我們對未來抱有很大希望，在軍事方面就無庸多作預測。
On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war.
四年前我初次就職之際，全國思慮都集中在即將爆發的內戰之上。
All dreaded it, all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place,
大家對內戰都懷有恐懼，都設法避免這場內戰的發生。當時我在這個講壇上發表的就職演說，
devoted altogether to saving the Union without war,
全部內容就是為了不戰而拯救聯邦。
urgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation.
當時城里的叛逆分子卻企圖不用戰爭而摧毀聯邦，企圖通過談判來瓦解聯邦，瓜分國家所有。
Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive,
雙方都反對戰爭，但其中一方卻寧愿戰爭也不愿聯邦毀滅，
and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came.
于是內戰爆發。
One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it.
我國黑奴占人口八分之一，他們不是普遍分布于全國各地，而是集中在南部。
These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war.
這些黑奴，構成一種特殊而重要的利益。盡人皆知，這種利益遲早會成為戰爭的起因。
To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war,
叛逆分子不惜發動戰爭分裂聯邦，以達到增大、擴展這種利益、使之永存的目的，
while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it.
政府卻除去要求將奴隸制限于原來區域，不使擴大之外，不要求其他任何權利，
Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained.
雙方都不曾預料到戰爭會有這樣大的規模，持續這樣久，
Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease.
不曾預料到引起沖突的原因在沖突停止前會消失,
Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding.
雙方都尋求輕而易舉的勝利，不求徹底或驚人的結果。
Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other.
雙方信奉同一宗教。敬拜同一上帝，都訴求上帝幫助戰勝對方。
It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces,
說來奇怪，竟有人敢于要求公正的上帝幫助自己去榨取別人的血汗；
but let us judge not, that we be not judged.
但我們不要去品評他人吧，
The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully.
以免受到別人的評論。雙方的祈求都不應得到滿足，也沒有任何一方得到完全的滿足，
