注：戴維斯從未擔(dān)任過官方意義上的美國總統(tǒng)(President of the United States)，故未收錄在美國總統(tǒng)演講合集中。且戴維斯總統(tǒng)哪怕在19世紀(jì)也是較為保守反動的奴隸制支持者，切勿將其話語奉為真理，謹(jǐn)慎參考。

1861年2月18日，杰弗遜·戴維斯在亞拉巴馬州首府蒙哥馬利市就任美利堅(jiān)聯(lián)盟國首任總統(tǒng)。

1860年11月6日，美國共和黨候選人亞伯拉罕·林肯贏得了1860年美國總統(tǒng)大選，這名廢奴主義者的勝選徹底引爆了美國南北兩方積怨已久的矛盾，12月20日，南卡羅來納州第一個宣布終止和美利堅(jiān)合眾國聯(lián)邦將其各州的聯(lián)系，隨后密西西比州、佛羅里達(dá)州、亞拉巴馬州、佐治亞州、路易斯安那州、得克薩斯州、弗吉尼亞州、阿肯色州、田納西州和北卡羅來納州接連宣布脫離聯(lián)邦。

1861年2月4日，南方11州隨后合并為了“美利堅(jiān)聯(lián)盟國”，將首都定為蒙哥馬利市，與聯(lián)邦政府分庭抗禮，美國就奴隸制問題糾紛了幾十年后，最終分裂。

1861年3月4日，亞伯拉罕·林肯在華盛頓特區(qū)就任美國總統(tǒng)，在就職典禮上，林肯承諾不會廢除南方奴隸制，希望南部各州及時悔改，切勿釀成大錯，但是遭到南方聯(lián)盟無視。不久后，南方聯(lián)盟開始在海上截?fù)袈?lián)邦海軍船只，聯(lián)邦與聯(lián)盟的矛盾進(jìn)一步激化。

1861年4月12日，聯(lián)盟軍進(jìn)攻駐扎于薩姆特堡的聯(lián)邦軍，美國南北戰(zhàn)爭正式爆發(fā)。

African slavery, as it exists in the United States, is a moral, a social, and a political blessing. ——?Jefferson Davis

美國的黑人奴隸制，無論從道德、社會還是政治層面來說，都是上帝的恩賜。 ——?杰弗遜·戴維斯

Gentlemen of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, Friends and Fellow-Citizens:

美利堅(jiān)聯(lián)盟國的各位先生們，朋友們，同胞們：

Called to the difficult and responsible station of Chief Executive of the Provisional Government which you have instituted, I approach the discharge of the duties assigned to me with an humble distrust of my abilities, but with a sustaining confidence in the wisdom of those who are to guide and to aid me in the administration of public affairs, and an abiding faith in the virtue and patriotism of the people.

大家號召我就任新生的臨時政府最高執(zhí)政官一職，我深知道路艱險，責(zé)任重大，我初知分配給自己的使命之時，對自己低下的能力感到憂心忡忡，但是政府中的同僚們指導(dǎo)并幫助我治理國家，他們的智慧讓我重拾了信心，也加強(qiáng)了我對人民的美德和愛國的信念。

Looking forward to the speedy establishment of a permanent government to take the place of this, and which by its greater moral and physical power will be better able to combat with the many difficulties which arise from the conflicting interests of separate nations, I enter upon the duties of the office to which I have been chosen with the hope that the beginning of our career as a Confederacy may not be obstructed by hostile opposition to our enjoyment of the separate existence and independence which we have asserted, and, with the blessing of Providence, intend to maintain. Our present condition, achieved in a manner unprecedented in the history of nations, illustrates the American idea that governments rest upon the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish governments whenever they become destructive of the ends for which they were established.

我希望能盡早建立一個長期政府來取代現(xiàn)在的臨時政府，且新政府能夠更好地運(yùn)用道德力量和物質(zhì)力量應(yīng)對當(dāng)下新脫離的各國所面臨的利益沖突困境，為此我現(xiàn)在接受大家的任命，正式任職總統(tǒng)，同時我希望敵視聯(lián)盟國的反對勢力不會阻撓我們已經(jīng)明確宣布的脫離和獨(dú)立，并且希望我們能在上帝的庇佑下存續(xù)下去。我國當(dāng)前的情況是通過各國歷史上都前所未有的方法實(shí)現(xiàn)的，我們的獨(dú)立代表了美國的理念，即政府經(jīng)由被統(tǒng)治者的同意而成立，且人民有權(quán)在政府違背了其成立初衷時改組或廢除政府。

The declared purpose of the compact of Union from which we have withdrawn was "to establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity;" and when, in the judgment of the sovereign States now composing this Confederacy, it had been perverted from the purposes for which it was ordained, and had ceased to answer the ends for which it was established, a peaceful appeal to the ballot-box declared that so far as they were concerned, the government created by that compact should cease to exist. In this they merely asserted a right which the Declaration of Independence of 1776 had defined to be inalienable; of the time and occasion for its exercise, they, as sovereigns, were the final judges, each for itself. The impartial and enlightened verdict of mankind will vindicate the rectitude of our conduct, and He who knows the hearts of men will judge of the sincerity with which we labored to preserve the Government of our fathers in its spirit. The right solemnly proclaimed at the birth of the States, and which has been affirmed and reaffirmed in the bills of rights of States subsequently admitted into the Union of 1789, undeniably recognize in the people the power to resume the authority delegated for the purposes of government. Thus the sovereign States here represented proceeded to form this Confederacy, and it is by abuse of language that their act has been denominated a revolution. They formed a new alliance, but within each State its government has remained, the rights of person and property have not been disturbed. The agent through whom they communicated with foreign nations is changed, but this does not necessarily interrupt their international relations.

我們剛剛退出了聯(lián)邦條約(譯者注：指美利堅(jiān)合眾國憲法)，該條約宣布的目標(biāo)是“伸張公平正義，維護(hù)國內(nèi)安穩(wěn)，建立共同防御，發(fā)展大眾福利，確保我輩及子孫后代永享自由；”但是現(xiàn)在，剛組建的南方聯(lián)盟各州認(rèn)為，聯(lián)邦已經(jīng)偏離了應(yīng)該致力的事業(yè)，并拒絕再執(zhí)行該文獻(xiàn)制定時的目標(biāo)，我們號召發(fā)動和平投票，宣布當(dāng)前的聯(lián)邦政府應(yīng)該解散。對此，他們只回應(yīng)稱，1776年的《獨(dú)立宣言》賦予的人權(quán)不可剝奪；他們各州行使權(quán)利時，只將他們自己的決定作為最終裁決，只為他們自己謀利。人類終會以公正開明的裁決，證明我們的行為是正直的，真正了解人類內(nèi)心的人會知道我們保護(hù)開國元勛們建立的政府和其精神的誠意。早在合眾國誕生時，各州的權(quán)利就已經(jīng)明確列舉，這些權(quán)利后來又在1789年《權(quán)利法案》中得到重申，毋庸置疑地授予了人民要求政府重組的權(quán)力。所以各州才匯聚于此，組建美利堅(jiān)聯(lián)盟國，而北方政府卻將我們的行為抹黑成革命。南方各州雖組成了一個新聯(lián)盟，但是各州政府仍得以保留，各州的人權(quán)和財(cái)產(chǎn)權(quán)也不會受到侵犯。雖然各州與外國的交流出現(xiàn)了改變，但我相信這并不一定就會影響我們的對外關(guān)系。

Sustained by the consciousness that the transition from the former Union to the present Confederacy has not proceeded from a disregard on our part of just obligations, or any failure to perform every constitutional duty, moved by no interest or passion to invade the rights of others, anxious to cultivate peace and commerce with all nations, if we may not hope to avoid war, we may at least expect that posterity will acquit us of having needlessly engaged in it. Doubly justified by the absence of wrong on our part, and by wanton aggression on the part of others, there can be no cause to doubt that the courage and patriotism of the people of the Confederate States will be found equal to any measures of defense which honor and security may require.

我們從前聯(lián)邦到現(xiàn)聯(lián)盟國的轉(zhuǎn)變，并非是因?yàn)槲覀兾幢M到我們的職責(zé)，也不是因?yàn)槲覀儧]能履行憲法義務(wù)，我們此舉并非為了一己私利，亦非想要侵犯他人權(quán)利，而是因?yàn)槲覀兲Ｍ鲊３趾推?，維持商貿(mào)關(guān)系，即使戰(zhàn)爭不可避免，那么起碼我們的子孫后代會理解我們加入戰(zhàn)爭實(shí)屬別無選擇。尤其是我們明明沒有犯任何錯誤，但是卻遭到了北方政府的惡意入侵，我相信，南部聯(lián)盟的人民為了捍衛(wèi)我們的榮譽(yù)和安全，一定會迸發(fā)出十足的勇氣和愛國熱情。

An agricultural people, whose chief interest is the export of a commodity required in every manufacturing country, our true policy is peace, and the freest trade which our necessities will permit. It is alike our interest, and that of all those to whom we would sell and from whom we would buy, that there should be the fewest practicable restrictions upon the interchange of commodities. There can be but little rivalry between ours and any manufacturing or navigating community, such as the Northeastern States of the American Union. It must follow, therefore, that a mutual interest would invite good will and kind offices. If, however, passion or the lust of dominion should cloud the judgment or inflame the ambition of those States, we must prepare to meet the emergency and to maintain, by the final arbitrament of the sword, the position which we have assumed among the nations of the earth. We have entered upon the career of independence, and it must be inflexibly pursued. Through many years of controversy with our late associates, the Northern States, we have vainly endeavored to secure tranquillity, and to obtain respect for the rights to which we were entitled. As a necessity, not a choice, we have resorted to the remedy of separation; and henceforth our energies must be directed to the conduct of our own affairs, and the perpetuity of the Confederacy which we have formed. If a just perception of mutual interest shall permit us peaceably to pursue our separate political career, my most earnest desire will have been fulfilled. But, if this be denied to us, and the integrity of our territory and jurisdiction be assailed, it will but remain for us, with firm resolve, to appeal to arms and invoke the blessings of Providence on a just cause.

作為一個農(nóng)業(yè)民族，我們的主要收益來自于向各工業(yè)國出口原材料，我們的真正政策是捍衛(wèi)和平，同時盡可能發(fā)展自由貿(mào)易。對商品貿(mào)易的限制應(yīng)當(dāng)減至最少，這既符合我國的利益，也符合那些同我們有進(jìn)出口貿(mào)易的國家的利益。我們與工業(yè)和航運(yùn)業(yè)群體，比如北方聯(lián)邦的東北部各州幾乎沒有任何沖突。因此，我們要堅(jiān)持互惠互利，增進(jìn)各國友誼。但是，如果北方各州被狂熱和欲望蒙蔽了雙眼，我們也要做好應(yīng)對緊急情況的防備，且不得已時準(zhǔn)備以刀劍來維護(hù)我國在世界各國中的地位。我們既然已經(jīng)打響了獨(dú)立反抗，就要堅(jiān)持到底。我們已經(jīng)和我們的前同胞，即北方各州爭論多年，我們努力維持和平并要求他們尊重我們的合法權(quán)利，然而一切都是徒勞。我們以脫離聯(lián)邦的方法捍衛(wèi)我國權(quán)利，并非是我們的選擇，而是不得已；此后，我們要將精力放在處理我們南方自己的事務(wù)上，保證我們聯(lián)盟國的存續(xù)。只要北方各州能正確認(rèn)識到我們之間可以互惠互利，我們就能互不侵犯地走上不同的政治道路，我對和平的最真切期盼也可以實(shí)現(xiàn)。但是，如果我們的這一請求遭到了北方否定，我們的領(lǐng)土和主權(quán)完整受到侵犯，那么我們將堅(jiān)決以武力回?fù)羟致攒姡⒄埱笊系勰鼙Ｓ游覈x的事業(yè)。

As a consequence of our new condition and with a view to meet anticipated wants, it will be necessary to provide for the speedy and efficient organization of branches of the executive department, having special charge of foreign intercourse, finance, military affairs, and the postal service.

鑒于我國剛剛建國，為滿足我們預(yù)期的各類目標(biāo)，就需要迅速有效地組建行政部門的下屬各機(jī)構(gòu)，以專門負(fù)責(zé)外交、財(cái)政、軍事和郵政事務(wù)。

For purposes of defense, the Confederate States may, under ordinary circumstances, rely mainly upon their militia, but it is deemed advisable, in the present condition of affairs, that there should be a well-instructed and disciplined army, more numerous than would usually be required on a peace establishment. I also suggest that for the protection of our harbors and commerce on the high seas a navy adapted to those objects will be required. These necessities have doubtless engaged the attention of Congress.

為達(dá)成國防目標(biāo)，聯(lián)盟國各州在平時可以動用自己的民兵，但以當(dāng)前的情況，我強(qiáng)烈建議組織一支訓(xùn)練有素、紀(jì)律嚴(yán)明的常備陸軍，且軍隊(duì)數(shù)量要遠(yuǎn)超和平時期的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。同時我還建議，建立一支具有相當(dāng)實(shí)力的海軍，以勝任保護(hù)我國港口、維護(hù)我國公海貿(mào)易的任務(wù)。請國會務(wù)必注意我的緊迫提議。

With a Constitution differing only from that of our fathers in so far as it is explanatory of their well-known intent, freed from the sectional conflicts which have interfered with the pursuit of the general welfare, it is not unreasonable to expect that States from which we have recently parted may seek to unite their fortunes with ours under the government which we have instituted. For this your Constitution makes adequate provision; but beyond this, if I mistake not the judgment and will of the people, a reunion with the States from which we have separated is neither practicable nor desirable. To increase the power, develop the resources, and promote the happiness of a confederacy, it is requisite that there should be so much of homogeneity that the welfare of every portion shall be the aim of the whole. Where this does not exist, antagonisms are engendered which must and should result in separation.

我們和北方各州對于祖輩們的憲法的爭議，僅存在于大家眾所周知的奴隸制問題上，但我們在避免內(nèi)戰(zhàn)和追求共同福祉方面有一致目標(biāo)，所以剛剛脫離聯(lián)邦，加入我們政府的南方各州仍希望將我們同北方的命運(yùn)聯(lián)系到一起，也并非無道理。我國憲法在此方面已經(jīng)有了相關(guān)條規(guī)；但除了憲法允許的行為之外，如果我沒有誤解人民的意愿的話，那么我們和北方各州的再次統(tǒng)一既不可能，也非我們所愿。美國要提升國力，開發(fā)資源，促進(jìn)聯(lián)邦的整體幸福，南北就必須要視彼此為同胞，聯(lián)邦整體應(yīng)當(dāng)顧及所有地區(qū)的幸福。但是如果聯(lián)邦漠視我們的幸福，就會導(dǎo)致南北對立，這種對立之下，國家分裂是不可避免的結(jié)果。

Actuated solely by the desire to preserve our own rights and promote our own welfare, the separation of the Confederate States has been marked by no aggression upon others and followed by no domestic convulsion. Our industrial pursuits have received no check. The cultivation of our fields has progressed as heretofore, and even should we be involved in war there would be no considerable diminution in the production of the staples which have constituted our exports and in which the commercial world has an interest scarcely less than our own. This common interest of the producer and consumer can only be interrupted by an exterior force which should obstruct its transmission to foreign markets--a course of conduct which would be as unjust toward us as it would be detrimental to manufacturing and commercial interests abroad. Should reason guide the action of the Government from which we have separated, a policy so detrimental to the civilized world, the Northern States included, could not be dictated by even the strongest desire to inflict injury upon us; but otherwise a terrible responsibility will rest upon it, and the suffering of millions will bear testimony to the folly and wickedness of our aggressors. In the meantime there will remain to us, besides the ordinary means before suggested, the well-known resources for retaliation upon the commerce of an enemy.

聯(lián)盟國的建立僅僅是希望維護(hù)我們自身的權(quán)利，促進(jìn)我們的福祉，南方聯(lián)盟各州并沒有對其他州做出侵犯，也沒有引起內(nèi)部動亂。我們不會給國內(nèi)行業(yè)設(shè)置任何發(fā)展限制。目前，我國的農(nóng)業(yè)仍在不斷發(fā)展，即便我們卷入戰(zhàn)爭，我們出口的主食產(chǎn)糧也不會銳減，參與世界貿(mào)易的各國對我們出口的糧食關(guān)注度并不亞于我們自己。我們生產(chǎn)者和外國消費(fèi)者的共同利益只會被一種外部阻力(譯者注:指美國北方聯(lián)邦)損害，他們會阻止我們的產(chǎn)品向外傳播——這種行為對我們來說是不公平的，也有損外國工業(yè)和商業(yè)利益。如果我們剛脫離的北方聯(lián)邦政府尚存理性的話，即便他們再想傷害我們，也不該采取這么一種傷害文明世界的方法；如果他們這么做了，后果會十分嚴(yán)重，成百上千萬人都會因此受難，他們的苦難會證明北方侵略者的愚蠢和邪惡。與此同時，除了我剛才提到的方法之外，我們還坐擁豐富的資源，可以對北方侵略者的商業(yè)進(jìn)行報復(fù)。

Experience in public stations, of subordinate grade to this which your kindness has conferred, has taught me that care and toil and disappointment are the price of official elevation. You will see many errors to forgive, many deficiencies to tolerate, but you shall not find in me either a want of zeal or fidelity to the cause that is to me highest in hope and of most enduring affection. Your generosity has bestowed upon me an undeserved distinction, one which I neither sought nor desired. Upon the continuance of that sentiment and upon your wisdom and patriotism I rely to direct and support me in the performance of the duty required at my hands.

我曾經(jīng)拜大家的仁愛，擔(dān)任過多個低等職務(wù)，我從這些經(jīng)歷中學(xué)到了，晉升是需要上進(jìn)心、不斷努力和經(jīng)歷挫折的。我會犯下很多錯誤過失，需要大家的寬容原諒，但我認(rèn)為，你們絕不會懷疑我對我們的事業(yè)缺乏熱情，因?yàn)檫@是我最遠(yuǎn)大的愿望，最長久的感情。我既不追求也不敢貪圖總統(tǒng)一職，但你們的慷慨使我榮獲這個自己不配擔(dān)任的崗位。我希望我個人對事業(yè)的熱愛和大家的智慧與愛國能夠指導(dǎo)、支持我履行好自己的職務(wù)。

We have changed the constituent parts, but not the system of our Government. The Constitution formed by our fathers is that of these Confederate States, in their exposition of it, and in the judicial construction it has received, we have a light which reveals its true meaning.

我國雖然成員有所減少，但是并非改變政府制度。我們開國元勛們設(shè)立的憲法就是我們美利堅(jiān)聯(lián)盟國的憲法，在開國元勛們闡述、完善憲法時，我們能從中憲法的真正寓意中看到耀眼的光芒。

Thus instructed as to the just interpretation of the instrument, and ever remembering that all offices are but trusts held for the people, and that delegated powers are to be strictly construed, I will hope, by due diligence in the performance of my duties, though I may disappoint your expectations, yet to retain, when retiring, something of the good will and confidence which welcome my entrance into office.

因此，我有義務(wù)對憲法的真正寓意做出解釋，并銘記所有職務(wù)都是人民任命的，官員要認(rèn)真行使作為人民代表所擁有的權(quán)力，雖然我可能會辜負(fù)大家的期望，但是我希望我可以通過勤勤懇懇地努力履行職務(wù)，在我卸任時仍能像我就任時這樣受到人民的愛戴和信任。

It is joyous, in the midst of perilous times, to look around upon a people united in heart, where one purpose of high resolve animates and actuates the whole--where the sacrifices to be made are not weighed in the balance against honor and right and liberty and equality. Obstacles may retard, they cannot long prevent the progress of a movement sanctified by its justice, and sustained by a virtuous people. Reverently let us invoke the God of our fathers to guide and protect us in our efforts to perpetuate the principles which, by his blessing, they were able to vindicate, establish and transmit to their posterity, and with a continuance of His favor, ever gratefully acknowledged, we may hopefully look forward to success, to peace, and to prosperity.

值此危難之際，我環(huán)顧四周，欣然發(fā)現(xiàn)我們民族團(tuán)結(jié)一致心連心，堅(jiān)定崇高的目標(biāo)激勵著我們?nèi)w不斷向前——一切榮譽(yù)、權(quán)利、自由和平等都比不上我們即將做出的流血犧牲。即使困難會阻礙我們的事業(yè)，但是它們無法阻止我們高尚民族的正義事業(yè)滾滾向前。讓我們恭敬地請求祖輩們信仰的上帝來指導(dǎo)并捍衛(wèi)我們的事業(yè)，讓我們的原則得以存續(xù)，在上帝的庇佑之下，我們終會證明自己的正義，并重建我們的繁榮生活，將其傳遞給子孫后代，我們感激上帝的持續(xù)厚愛，使得我們看到了取得勝利，重建和平，重建繁榮的希望。

聲明：本人僅按照原文翻譯內(nèi)容，演講內(nèi)容不代表本人觀點(diǎn)。此專欄僅供歷史和英語交流學(xué)習(xí)使用，任何讀者皆可引用本人的譯本。

希望來學(xué)習(xí)英語的觀眾明白：我覺得這些專欄的主要精華在于英語原文，而并非我的譯本，我的譯本很大程度上只是供來學(xué)習(xí)歷史的觀眾使用的。本人的英語水平一般，翻譯得并不會多么精彩，只能在你看不懂時來幫助你了解這些演講內(nèi)容最基本的意思，而且翻譯時難免會出現(xiàn)差錯，切勿直接完全以我的譯本為標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。如發(fā)現(xiàn)有翻譯錯誤或者歧義內(nèi)容，歡迎指正。

希望來學(xué)習(xí)歷史的觀眾明白：任何歷史人物都有一定的局限性，隨著時代發(fā)展，很多觀點(diǎn)看法可能已經(jīng)不再適用今天的世界，西方的觀點(diǎn)也不一定適用于我們。通過了解這些演講，僅可給我們提供一個更全面了解過去和世界的渠道。我們可以從優(yōu)秀的歷史、當(dāng)代人物身上學(xué)到很多，但是請保持獨(dú)立思考，理性看待演講內(nèi)容，切勿全信或?qū)⑵浞顬檎胬怼?