評論
打印
Fellow-Citizens:
同胞們：
I appear before you this day to take the solemn oath"that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve,protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
我今天在你們面前莊嚴宣誓：“我將忠誠地執(zhí)行美國總統(tǒng)的職務(wù)，并將盡我所能來維持，捍衛(wèi)和守護美國的憲法。”
In entering upon this great office I must humbly invoke the God of our fathers for wisdom, and firmness to execute its high and responsible duties in such a manner as to restore harmony, and ancient friendship among the people of the several States and to preserve our free institution throughout many generations.
在擔任這一偉大職務(wù)時我謙恭地祈求我們先驅(qū)上帝給予我智慧，支持以助我執(zhí)行這高尚的責任，在各州的人民中重建和諧，和古老的友誼并千秋萬代維護我們的自由組織。
Convinced that I owe my election to the inherent love for the Constitution and the Union which still animates the hearts of the American people, let me earnestly ask their powerful support in sustaining all just measures calculated to perpetuate these,the richest political blessings which Heaven has ever bestowed upon any nation.
深信我的當選應(yīng)歸功于熱愛憲法和仍扣動美國人民心弦的聯(lián)邦。讓我誠懇地請求他們強有力的支持來維護所有正當?shù)闹荚谑股咸旖o予我們祖國的豐富政治祝福得以永遠的措施。
Having determined not to become a candidate for reelection, I shall have no motive to influence my conduct in administering the Government except the desire ably, and faithfully to serve my country and to live in grateful memory of my countrymen.
我已決定不再競選連任，我在除了要有效和無任何能影響我執(zhí)行的動機。忠心地服務(wù)我的祖國并在同胞中留下美好記憶。
The whole Territorial question being thus settled upon the principle of popular sovereignty___, a principle as ancient as free government itself__everything of a practical nature has been decided.
整個領(lǐng)土問題在公眾主權(quán)的原則下得以解決——一個和政府一樣古老的原則——任何實際意義的事件都被解決了。
No other question remains for adjustment,because all agree that under the Constitution slavery in the States in beyond the reach of any human power, except that of the respective States themselves wherein it exists.
沒有其它問題等待修正，因為人們都認同在憲法下各州的奴隸制問題非任何人民力量所可及，除非由各州自身解決。
May we not,then,hope that the long agitation on this subject is approaching its end, and that the geographical parties to which it has given birth, so much dreaded by the Father of his Country,will speedily become extinct?
于是我們不可希望這長期騷動的問題正在終結(jié)，地理上的分裂會很快消除。也不可希望由它所造成的，會使我們的先父很痛恨的。
Most happy will it be for the country when the public mind shall be diverted from this question to other of more pressing and practical importance.
最可幸的是公眾意識會從這一問題轉(zhuǎn)向其它更緊要更現(xiàn)實的問題上。
Throughout the whole progress of this agitation, which has scarcely know any intermission for more than twenty years.
在整個過程中，這場二十多年內(nèi)罕有間斷的騷動的，
whilst it has been productive of no positive good to any human being it has been the prolific source of great evils to the master, to the slave,and to the whole country.
它對任何人沒有產(chǎn)生任何善果，它卻成了對主人、奴仆和整個國家造成萬惡的源泉。
It has alienated and estranged the people of the sister States from each other, and has even seriously endangered the very existence of the Union.
它把兄弟州相互分離隔開，甚至嚴重危及聯(lián)邦的生存。
Nor has the danger yet entirely ceased.
這危險至今尚未完全停止。
Under our system there is a remedy for all mere political evils in the sound sense and sober judgment of the people.
在我們的體制下，人民的堅實理智和清醒判斷會造成對所有政治邪惡的拯救。
Time is a great corrective.
時間是最好的糾正。
Political subjects which but a few years ago excited and exasperated the public mind have passed away and are now nearly forgotten.
幾年前還激動并惱怒公眾意識的政治問題已經(jīng)逝去，并被忘記。
But this question of domestic slavery is of far graver importance than any mere political question, because should the agitation continue it may eventually endanger the personal safety of a large portion of our countrymen where the institution exists.
但這一國內(nèi)奴隸制的問題比一個僅僅政治上的問題更為重要。因為如果這場騷動繼續(xù)下去，它可能會最終危及此體制所存在之處的我們同胞中一大部分的人身安全。
In that event no form of government,however admirable in itself and however productive of material benefits, can compensate for the loss of peace and domestic security around the family altar.
如果那樣，不管是如何值得贊賞，如何生產(chǎn)出巨大物質(zhì)財富的政府形式都，無法補償和平和家庭安全的喪失。
Let every Union_loving man,therefore,exert his best influence to suppress this agitation, which since the recent legislation of Congress is without any legitimate object.
那么讓每一個熱愛聯(lián)邦的人施展其最大影響來壓制這場騷動。自從最近的國會立法，它已無任何合法的目標。
No nation in the tide of time has ever been blessed with so rich and noble an inheritance as we enjoy in the pubilc lands.
沒有民族在時代潮流中能象我們享受公共土地那樣受到如此豐富高遺的遺產(chǎn)。
In administering this important trust, whilst it may be wise to grant portions of them for the improvement of the remainder, yet we should never forget that it is our cardinal policy to reserve these lands, as much as may be,for actual settlers,and this at moderate prices.
在管理這一重大委任中，為了改善剩余土地而贈出其中部分也許是明智的，但我們不可忘記我們的最高政府是盡可能地把這些土地，保留給真正的定居者，而且是以低廉的價格。
We shall thus not only best promote the prosperity of the new States and Territories, by furnishing them a hardy and independent race of honest and industrious citizens, but shall secure homes for our children and our children's children, as well as for those exiles from foreign shores who may seek in this country to improve their condition and to enjoy the blessings of civil and religious liberty.
我們應(yīng)該如此，不僅極力促進新的州和領(lǐng)土的繁榮，通過為它們提供彈悍自立而忠誠勤勞的人民，也應(yīng)為我們的子孫后代，和從外國海岸來到這個國家尋求改善生活和享受政治和宗教自由的人們保證一個美好家園。
They have proved faithful both in peace and in war.
他們不論在和平還是戰(zhàn)爭年代來都很忠誠。
After becoming citizens they are entitled,under the Constitution and laws, to be placed on a perfect equality with native_born citizens, and in this character they should ever be kindly recognized.
在成為公民后他們將在憲法和法規(guī)下，獲得同本土出生的公民完全平等的權(quán)利，而以此特性他們的地位將被友善地認可。
It is our glory that whilst other nations have extended their dominions by the sword we have never acquired any territory except by fait purchase or, as in the case of Texas,by the voluntary determination of a brave,kindred, and independent people to blend their destinies with our won.
當別國通過刀劍來擴大范圍時，我們只通過公共的購買或者，如得克薩斯州，通過一個勇敢的、有親情的，獨立的民族自愿和我們國家的聯(lián)合的意愿來獲得土地，這是我們的光榮。
Even our acquisitions from Mexico form no exception.
即使是我們從墨西哥所得到的也不例外。
Unwilling to take advantage of the fortune of war against a sister republic, we purchased these possessions under the treaty of peace for a sum which was considered at the time a fair equivalent.
不愿對一個兄弟共和國發(fā)動戰(zhàn)爭來取得利益。我們在和平條約下以當時認為是等值的數(shù)目來購買這些土地。
Our past history forbids that we shall in the future acquire territory unless this be sanctioned by the laws of justice and honor.
我們過去的歷史禁止我們在未來獲取土地，除非是在公正高尚的法律允許的情況下。
Acting on this principle,no nation will have a right to interfere or to complain if in the progress of events we shall still further extend our possessions.
以此原則行動，沒有民族能有權(quán)力來干涉或報怨我們在將來隨著情況的發(fā)展，進一步擴大我們的領(lǐng)地。
Hitherto in all our acquisitions the people,under the protection of the American flag, have enjoyed civil and religious liberty,as well as equal and just laws, and have been contented,prosperous,and happy.
至今為止在我們所有得到的土地上，人們在美國旗幟的保護下，享受著政治和宗教的自由。以及平等公正的法律：他們也很滿意，富裕和幸福。
Their trade with the rest of the world has repidly increased, and thus every commercial nation has shared largely in their successful progress.
他們同世界各地的貿(mào)易也迅速增長。于是每一個商貿(mào)國家都能分享到他們的成功發(fā)展。
