評論
打印
This is the only substantial dispute.
這是唯一的實質性的爭執.
The fugitive-slave clause of the Constitution and the law for the suppression of the foreign slave trade are each as well enforced,perhaps,
憲法中有關逃亡奴隸的條款，以及制止對外奴隸貿易的法律，在一個人民的道德觀念并不支持該法的，
as any law can ever be in a community where the moral sense of the people imperfectly supports the law itself.
社會里，它們的執行情況也許不次于任何一項法律所能達到的程度。
The great body of the people abide by the dry legal obligation in both cases, and a few break over in each.
在兩種情況下，絕大多數的人都遵守枯燥乏味的法律義務，但又都有少數人不聽那一套。
This, I think, can not be perfectly cured, and it would be worse in both cases after the separation of the sections than before.
關于這一點，我想，要徹底解決是根本不可能的；如果寸巴兩個地區分離。以后，情況只會更壞。
The foreign slave trade, now imperfectly suppressed, would be ultimately revived without restriction in one section,
對外奴隸貿易現在并未能完全加以禁止，最后在一個地區中必將全面恢復；
while fugitive slaves, now only partially surrendered, would not be surrendered at all by the other.
對于逃亡奴隸，在另一個地區，現在送回的只是一部分，將來會完全不肯交出來了。
Physically speaking, we can not separate.
就自然條件而言，我們是不能分離的。
We can not remove our respective sections from each other nor build an impassable wall between them.
我們決不能把我們的各個地區相互搬開，也不可能在它們之間修建起一道無法逾越的高墻。
A husband and wife may be divorced and go out of the presence and beyond the reach of each other, but the different parts of our country can not do this.
一對夫妻可以離婚，各走各的路，彼此再不見面，但我們國家的各部分可無法這么辦。
They can not but remain face to face, and intercourse, either amicable or hostile, must continue between them.
它們只能面對面相處，友好也罷，仇視也罷，他們仍必須彼此交往。
Is it possible, then, to make that intercourse more advantageous or more satisfactory after separation than before?
我們維道能有任何辦法使得這種交往在分離之后，比分離：之前更為有利，更為令，人滿意嗎?
Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can make laws?
難道在外人之間訂立條約，比在朋友之間制訂法律還更為容易嗎?
Can treaties be more faithfully enforced between aliens than laws can among friends?
難道在外人之間履行條約，比在朋友之間按法律辦事還更忠實嗎?
Suppose you go to war, you can not fight always; and when, after much loss on both sides and no gain on either, you cease fighting,
就算你們決定。訴諸戰爭，你們，總不能永遠打下去吧；最后當兩敗俱傷而雙方都一無所獲時，你們停止戰斗，
the identical old questions, as to terms of intercourse, are again upon you.
那時依照什么條件相互交往，這同一個老問題仍會照樣擺在你們面前了。
This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it.
這個國家，連同它的各種機構，都屬于居住在這里的人民。
Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing Government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it.
任何時候，他們對現存政府感到厭倦了，他們可以行使他們的憲法權利，改革這個政府，或者行使他們的革命權利解散它或者推翻它。
I can not be ignorant of the fact that many worthy and patriotic citizens are desirous of having the National Constitution amended.
我當然知道，現在就有許多尊貴的、愛國的公民極于想修訂我們的憲法。
While I make no recommendation of amendments, I fully recognize the rightful authority of the people over the whole subject,
盡管我自己不會那么建議，我卻也完全承認他們在這個問題上的合法權利，
to be exercised in either of the modes prescribed in the instrument itself;
承認他們可以按照憲法所規定的兩種方式中的任何一種來行使這種權利；
and I should, under existing circumstances, favor rather than oppose a fair opportunity being afforded the people to act upon it.
而且，在目前情況下，我不但不反對，而倒是贊成給人民一個公正的機會讓他們去行動。
I will venture to add that to me the convention mode seems preferable, in that it allows amendments to originate with the people themselves,
我還不禁要補充一點，在我看來，采取舉行會議的方式似乎更好一些，這樣可以使修訂方案完全由人民自己提出，
instead of only permitting them to take or reject propositions originated by others, not especially chosen for the purpose,
而不是只讓他們去接受或拒絕一些并非特別為此目的而選出的一些人提出的方案，
and which might not be precisely such as they would wish to either accept or refuse.
因為也可能那些方案恰恰并不是他們愿意接受或拒絕的。
I understand a proposed amendment to the Constitution—which amendment, however, I have not seen—has passed Congress,
我了解到現在已有人提出一項憲法修正案——這修正案我并沒有看到，但在國會中已經通過了，
to the effect that the Federal Government shall never interfere with the domestic institutions of the States, including that of persons held to service.
大意說，聯邦政府將永遠不再干涉各州內部制度，包括那些應服勞役者的問題。
To avoid misconstruction of what I have said, I depart from my purpose not to speak of particular amendments so far as to say that,
為了使我講的話不致被誤解，我現在改變我不談具體修正案的原來的打算，
holding such a provision to now be implied constitutional law, I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.
明確聲明，這樣一個條款，既然現在可能列入憲法，我不反對使它成為明確而不可改動的條文。
