評論
打印
Fellow Citizens:The will of the American people,expressed through their unsolicited suffrages,
公民們：美國人民通過自愿選舉所表達的意志，
calls me before you to pass through the solemnities preparatory to taking upon myself the duties of President of the United States for another term.
要求我站在你們面前通過這一莊重的儀式，作為我連任合眾國總統職務的準備。
For their approbation of my public conduct through a period which has not been without its difficulties,
你們對我在一個不無困難的時期執政的情況表示認可，
and for this renewed expression of their confidence in my good intentions,
對我良好的愿望再次表示信賴，
I am at a loss for terms adequate to the expression of my gratitude.
對此我實在找不出適當的言詞來表達我的感激。
It shall be displayed to the extent of my humble abilities in continued efforts so to administer the Government as to preserve their liberty and promote their happiness.
我將繼續盡我微薄之力管理政府，維護你們的自由，促進你們的幸福，以此來表達我的感激之情。
My experience in public concerns and the observation of a life somewhat advanced confirm the opinions long since imbibed by me,
我任公職的經驗和對生活的略微高超的觀察證實了我長久以來所形成的觀點，
that the destruction of our State governments or the annihilation of their control over the local concerns of the people would lead directly to revolution and anarchy,
廢除我們的州政府或者取消它們對地方事務的控制，必然會直接導致革命或無政府狀態，
and finally to despotism and military domination.
最終則導致專制和軍事控制。
In proportion,therefore,as the General Government encroaches upon the rights of the States,
因此，如果中央政府侵害了各州的部分權利，
in the same proportion does it impair its own power and detract from its ability to fulfill the purposes of its creation.
也就損害了自身的部分權力，并減弱了部分的創造能力。
Solemnly impressed with these considerations,my countrymen will ever find me ready to exercise my constitutional powers in arresting measures,which may directly or indirectly
如果同胞們切實銘記這些考慮，便會發現我準備行使我的憲法權力，
encroach upon the rights of the States or tend to consolidate all political power in the General Government.
以阻止那直接或間接侵犯州權、或企圖加強中央政府政治權力的各種措施。
But of equal,and,indeed,of incalculable,importance is the union of these States,
但是，具有同等而且確實是無可估量重要性的是這些州的聯合，
and the sacred duty of all to contribute to its preservation by a liberal support of the General Government in the exercise of its just powers.
以及所有各州都大力支持中央政府行使其公正的權力，以此來維護其聯合的神圣職責。
You have been wisely admonished to"accustom yourselves to think and speak of the Union as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity,
你們曾被理智地告誡過：“你們要習慣于像對待護佑你們政治上的安全與繁榮的守護神那樣想到它或談論它；
watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety,discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned,
要小心翼翼、無微不至地保護它：要駁斥一切拋棄它的想法，即使對它抱有絲毫懷疑亦不允許；
and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of any attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts."
要義正詞嚴地反對剛冒頭的、一切可能使我國的任何部分與其他部分疏遠并削弱連接全國各地的神圣紐帶的種種企圖。”
Without union our independence and liberty would never have been achieved;
沒有聯合，我們的獨立和自由就永遠不會取得；
without union they never can be maintained.
沒有聯合，獨立和自由也決得不到維護。
