評論
打印
Called from a retirement which I had supposed was to continue for the residue of my life to full the chief executive office of this great and free nation, I appear before you, fellow_citizens, to take the oaths which the Constitution prescribes as a neccessary qualification for the performance of its duties; and in obedience to a custom coeval with our Government and what I believe to be your expectations, I proceed to present to you a summary of the principles which will govern me in the discharge of the duties which I shall be called upon to perform.
從我原以為將持續我的余生的隱退生活中被召喚來行使這一偉大而自由民族的行政長官之職，同胞們，我在你們面前，來按照憲法的要求必須作執政資格的宣誓；并依照我們政府當前的慣例和我所認為是你們的希望，我在此向你們進行關于在行使這一我被召喚上任的職責中將指引我的原則的概述。
It was the remark of a Roman consul in an early period of that celebrated Republic that a most striking contrast was observable in the conduct of candidates for offices of power, and trust before and after obtaining them, they seldom carrying out in the latter case the pledges and promises made in the former.
在有名的羅馬共和國的早期，有一位執政官評論道，公職權力和信任的候選者在得到它前，和得到它后的行為之間有明顯的反差，他們極少在后來執行他們在當初所做的保證和允諾。
However much the world may have improved in many respects in the lapse of upward of two thousand years since the remark was made by the virtuous and indignant Roman, I fear that a strict examination of the annals of some of the modern elective governments would develop similar instances of violated confidence.
盡管這個世界在自此高尚而憤慨的羅馬人所作的評論以后的兩千多年來已在很多方面大大改善，我仍恐怕對一些現代選舉政府的嚴格檢查將顯示出類似的違反信任的例子。
Our Confederacy,fellow_citizens,can only be preserved by the same forbearance.
同胞們，只能以相同的忍耐來保護我們的聯盟。
Our citizens must be content with the exercise of the powers with which the Constitution clothes them.
我們的公民們必須以行使憲法賦予他們的權利而滿足。
The attempt of those of one State to control the domestic institutions of another can only result in feelings of distrust and jealousy, the certain harbingers of disunion,violence,and civil war, and the ultimate destruction of our free institutions.
那些一州試圖控制另一州的內部機構只會造成無信和嫉妒之心，分裂、暴力、內戰，和最終毀壞我們自由體制的某些前兆。
Our Confederacy is perfectly illustrated by the terms and principles governing a common copartnership.
我們的聯盟由管理一個共同合作關系的條件和原則來完善闡明。
There is a fund of power to be exercised under the direction of the joint councils of the allied members, but that which has been reserved by the individual members is intangible by the common Government or the individual members composing it.
在聯盟成員的聯合議會的指導下，有一權力資源可被行使，但是那些保留給單獨成員的權力則不可為共同政府或制定它的個人所染指。
To attempt it finds no support in the principles of our Constitution.
試圖如此無法在我們的憲法原則中找到依據。
It should be our constant and earnest endeavor mutually to cultivate a spirit of concord and harmony among the various parts of our Confederacy.
在我們聯盟的各部分中互相養育和諧一致的精神應該是我持久而真誠的努力。
Experience has abundantly taught us that the agitation by citizens of one part of the Union of a subject not confided to the General Government, but exclusively under the guardianship of the local authorities, is productive of no other consequences than bitterness,alienation,discord, and injury to the very cause which is intended to be advanced.
以往的豐富經歷告訴我們聯盟中一部分公民關于一個事件的煽動，沒有委托給聯邦政府的，而僅在當地政府監督之下，只會造成怨恨、分裂、混亂，以及對它所企圖改善的目標的傷害。
Of all the great interest which appertain to our country,that of union_cordial, confiding,fraternal union__is by far the most important,since it is the only true and sure guaranty of all others.
在我們國家的重大利益之中最為重要的是我們熱情、可信，博愛的聯盟的利益，因為只有它是對所有他人的真正而肯定的保證。
In consequence of the embarrassed state of business and the currency, some of the States may meet with difficulty in their financial concerns.
作為商貿和金融窘況的后果，某些州也許會在其財政上遇到困難。
However deeply we may regret anything imprudent or excessive in the engagements into which States have entered for puproses of their own, it does not become us to disparage the States governments, nor to discourage them from making proper efforts for their own relief.
但是盡管我們對這些州為其自身目的而所為之中的任何不慎和過激深表遺憾。不應由我們來貶低這些州政府。或勸阻他們為解救自身而作出正當努力。
On the contrary,it is our duty to encourage them to the extent of our constitutional authority to apply their best means, and cheerfully to make all necessary sacrifices, and submit to all necessary burdens to fulfill their engagements and maintain their credit, for the character and credit of the several States form a part of the character and credit of the whole country.
相反，我們的職責是鼓勵他們在我們憲法權力范圍內，應用他們最佳的手段。并樂意作出所有必要的犧牲。樂意承擔所有必要責任，來完成他們的使命和保證他們的信譽，因為若干個州的性格和信譽形成整個國家性格和信譽的一部分。
The resources of the country are abundant, the enterprise and activity of our people proverbial, and we may well hope that wise legislation and prudent administration by the respective governments, each acting within its own sphere,will restore former prosperity.
我們的國家資源非常豐富。我們人民的事業和行為世所聞名，而我們可以希望各級政府在自身的范圍內的精明立法，和謹慎執政將重建昔日的繁榮。
I deem the present occasion sufficiently important and solemn to justify me in expressing to my fellow_citizens a profound reverence for the Christian religion, and a thorough conviction that sound morals,religious liberty, and a just sense of religious responsibility are essentially connected with all true and lasting happiness; and to that good Being who has blessed us by the gifts of civil and religious freedom, who watches over and prospered the labors of our fathers, and has hitherto preserved to us institutions far exceeding in excellence those of any other people, let us unite in fervently commending very interest of our beloved country in all future time.
我認為目前機會已足夠重要和嚴肅來允許我向同胞們表達對基督教的深刻崇敬，以及關于正直倫理，宗教自由，和宗教責任的正義感同所有真正和持久的幸福有著本質聯系的堅定信念。面向那以恩賜和民權宗教自由來祝福我們的慈祥上帝，他曾監督并繁榮我們先驅的勞動，并至今為我們保留著遠比其他人民的更為優秀的組織機構，讓我們在將來任何時候團結在一起，熱情贊賞我們可愛祖國的每一利益。
Fellow_citizens,being fully invested with that high office to which the partiality of my countrymen has call me.
同胞們，已被完全賦予同胞們的偏愛召喚我上任的最高職責，
I now take an affectionate leave of you.
現在我要充滿深情地離開你們。
You will bear with you to your homes the remembrance of the pladge I have this day given to discharge all the high duties of my exalted station according to the best of my ability, and I shall enter upon their performance with entire confidence in the support of a just and generous people.
你們回家后將記住我今天所作關于盡我之所能來履行我職務的高度責任的保證；并且我將帶著對這一正直而慷慨的人民的支持的信心，進而執行之。
