1837年3月4日，馬丁·范布倫在華盛頓特區(qū)正式就任美國第8任總統(tǒng)。

馬丁·范布倫出身美國民主黨，他出生于1782年，他出生時美國已經(jīng)成立，因此是第一位以“美利堅合眾國公民”身份出生的美國總統(tǒng)。他來自紐約的肯德胡克，他競選總統(tǒng)時，來自他家鄉(xiāng)的老肯德胡克(Old Kinderhook)俱樂部為了表達(dá)對他的支持，發(fā)明了“OK”一詞，意為“一切都好”，該用法至今在英語中仍被廣泛使用。他在上一屆政府中擔(dān)任國務(wù)卿，處理美國外交事務(wù)，在卡爾霍恩與杰克遜總統(tǒng)產(chǎn)生沖突卸任后，接替他成為了美國副總統(tǒng)。

對內(nèi)方面，范布倫總統(tǒng)在上任僅2個月后，美國就爆發(fā)了一場全國性的經(jīng)濟(jì)大危機(jī)，這場經(jīng)濟(jì)大危機(jī)在前總統(tǒng)杰克遜廢除美國聯(lián)邦第二銀行時就埋下了炸彈，在范布倫總統(tǒng)上任后引爆，范布倫總統(tǒng)果斷提出了《獨立國庫法》，準(zhǔn)備重建聯(lián)邦儲蓄機(jī)構(gòu)，但由于國會的爭論、政黨的斗爭以及民主黨內(nèi)部的分裂，這部法案直到1840年才通過；這段時間內(nèi)，美國工人的收入大幅減少，早就因工作時間過長和待遇過差而積怨已久的美國工人發(fā)起了大罷工，美國各行各業(yè)均收到影響，范布倫政府最終向工人妥協(xié)，于1840年3月通過法律，規(guī)定美國最長日工作時間為10小時，美國成為世界上第一個實施10小時工作制的主要國家；他是廢奴主義者，但是反對使用強(qiáng)制手段廢除奴隸制，因為他害怕此舉導(dǎo)致國家分裂，因此他上任時就承諾不干涉南方奴隸制，且在任期內(nèi)大力打壓廢奴主義激進(jìn)派，他聲稱比起奴隸制本身，廢奴主義激進(jìn)分子才是國家不穩(wěn)定的根源；他的任期末期，“昭昭天命”思想的雛形已經(jīng)出現(xiàn)，美國民間支持向西擴(kuò)張的呼聲越來越高。

對外方面，1837年，英屬加拿大爆發(fā)叛亂，受獨立戰(zhàn)爭和門羅主義的影響，美國人普遍同情加拿大人的遭遇，一艘名為“卡洛林號”的美國民船同加拿大起義軍達(dá)成協(xié)議，幫助起義軍運送補給，英國當(dāng)局獲知此事后，派出海軍截住了卡洛林號，雙方隨即爆發(fā)沖突，最終卡洛林號被英軍燒毀，2名美國人在沖突中死亡，范布倫總統(tǒng)譴責(zé)英方的行為侵犯了美國主權(quán)，同時宣布美國不會介入加拿大事務(wù)；1839年，雙方在邊界再次爆發(fā)沖突，范布倫總統(tǒng)再次強(qiáng)調(diào)了美國的中立立場，化解了這一次危機(jī)，隨后英方承認(rèn)處理卡洛林號時方法欠妥，侵犯了美國主權(quán)，就卡洛林號事件向美國道歉。

1837年6月20日，芳齡18歲的維多利亞女王在英國倫敦威斯敏斯特教堂加冕為英國女王，同時英國基本完成了第一次工業(yè)革命，國力迅速提升，力壓各國，世界歷史步入維多利亞時代。

1840年大選中，由于經(jīng)濟(jì)大危機(jī)爆發(fā)在范布倫任期內(nèi)，且遲遲未能解決，民眾把一切錯誤歸咎于總統(tǒng)，導(dǎo)致范布倫總統(tǒng)支持率一路走低，最終敗給了輝格黨候選人哈里森。

1841年3月4日，范布倫卸任總統(tǒng)一職，繼續(xù)活躍于美國政壇。

1844年，范布倫再次參加大選，但由于他反對美國吞并得克薩斯共和國，與美國民間盛行的“昭昭天命”思想沖突，最終未能勝選，不久后，他宣布退休。

范布倫退休后曾到歐洲各國周游，會見過維多利亞女王，多數(shù)時間他與友人在家附近釣魚，他雖是廢奴主義者，在美國南北分裂最嚴(yán)重的時期，他依然主張以溫和的態(tài)度對待南方，但是在內(nèi)戰(zhàn)最終爆發(fā)后，他支持林肯總統(tǒng)，主張使用一切手段終結(jié)南方各州的奴隸制。

1862年7月24日，馬丁·范布倫在肯德胡克因哮喘去世，享年79歲。

It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't. ——?Martin Van Buren

做好自己的本職工作，這比你沒做好還給自己找借口要輕松得多。 —— 馬丁·范布倫

Fellow-Citizens:

同胞們：
　　

The practice of all my predecessors imposes on me an obligation I cheerfully fulfill——to accompany the first and solemn act of my public trust with an avowal of the principles that will guide me in performing it and an expression of my feelings on assuming a charge so responsible and vast. In imitating their example I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men, whose superiors it is our happiness to believe are not found on the executive calendar of any country. Among them we recognize the earliest and firmest pillars of the Republic——those by whom our national independence was first declared, him who above all others contributed to establish it on the field of battle, and those whose expanded intellect and patriotism constructed, improved, and perfected the inestimable institutions under which we live. If such men in the position I now occupy felt themselves overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude for this the highest of all marks of their country's confidence, and by a consciousness of their inability adequately to discharge the duties of an office so difficult and exalted, how much more must these considerations affect one who can rely on no such claims for favor or forbearance! Unlike all who have preceded me, the Revolution that gave us existence as one people was achieved at the period of my birth; and whilst I contemplate with grateful reverence that memorable event, I feel that I belong to a later age and that I may not expect my countrymen to weigh my actions with the same kind and partial hand.

根據(jù)所有前總統(tǒng)的行為，我也有責(zé)任欣然公布我未來執(zhí)政的原則，并闡述我對肩此重任作何感受，以此作為我就任后莊嚴(yán)采取的首個行動。我會追隨偉人的腳步，以偉人為榜樣，我們很榮幸能有他們?yōu)閲瞰I(xiàn)，其他國家的行政歷史上從來沒有出現(xiàn)過如此卓越之人。這些人包括我們共和國最初，也是最堅定的中流砥柱——那些宣布了我國獨立的開國元勛們，那位領(lǐng)導(dǎo)我們在戰(zhàn)場上建國的大陸軍司令，還有那些推動我國教育普及、愛國主義建設(shè)，改進(jìn)完善我國制度機(jī)構(gòu)的人。如果這些人處于我現(xiàn)在的職位上，感受到國家對他們的感激和高度信任，同時擔(dān)心自己能力不足以勝任如此艱巨的職務(wù)，那么這一切對于我這么一個無法借助人民愛戴和寬容的人來說，是何等的壓力??！我和之前的所有總統(tǒng)都不同，在我出生之前，獨立戰(zhàn)爭就已經(jīng)打響，使得我們可以作為美利堅民族存在；當(dāng)我滿懷感激敬意回顧這段難以忘懷的歷史時，我也意識到了自己屬于后一個時代，因此同胞們在審視我的行為時，我不會像前幾位總統(tǒng)那樣享有開國元勛的偏袒。

So sensibly, fellow-citizens, do these circumstances press themselves upon me that I should not dare to enter upon my path of duty did I not look for the generous aid of those who will be associated with me in the various and coordinate branches of the Government; did I not repose with unwavering reliance on the patriotism, the intelligence, and the kindness of a people who never yet deserted a public servant honestly laboring their cause; and, above all, did I not permit myself humbly to hope for the sustaining support of an ever-watchful and beneficent Providence.

因此，同胞們，很顯然，如果我不尋求政府各下屬部門內(nèi)各位友人的慷慨協(xié)助；如果我對我們民族的愛國熱情、聰明才智、心地善良有所質(zhì)疑；如果我擔(dān)心人民會拋棄為他們勤懇服務(wù)的人民公仆；還有最重要的，如果我不虛心祈求注視萬物、播撒慈愛的上帝的保佑，我是無論如何都不敢妄圖總統(tǒng)一職的。

To the confidence and consolation derived from these sources it would be ungrateful not to add those which spring from our present fortunate condition. Though not altogether exempt from embarrassments that disturb our tranquillity at home and threaten it abroad, yet in all the attributes of a great, happy, and flourishing people we stand without a parallel in the world. Abroad we enjoy the respect and, with scarcely an exception, the friendship of every nation; at home, while our Government quietly but efficiently performs the sole legitimate end of political institutions——in doing the greatest good to the greatest number—— we present an aggregate of human prosperity surely not elsewhere to be found.

除了以上方面給予了我信心和慰藉，還有我國當(dāng)前欣欣向榮的局面。雖然我國國內(nèi)外的平靜仍時不時遭到侵?jǐn)_威脅，但是我們作為一個偉大、幸福、繁榮昌盛的民族，在全世界無與倫比。出國在外，我們幾乎無一例外地享有所有國家的尊重和友好；回到國內(nèi)，聯(lián)邦政府默默且高效地執(zhí)行者我國政治制度指定的唯一目標(biāo)——實現(xiàn)最廣大人民的利益最大化——我國國內(nèi)展現(xiàn)出的生活繁榮之狀，在任何其他國家都是看不到的。

How imperious, then, is the obligation imposed upon every citizen, in his own sphere of action, whether limited or extended, to exert himself in perpetuating a condition of things so singularly happy! All the lessons of history and experience must be lost upon us if we are content to trust alone to the peculiar advantages we happen to possess. Position and climate and the bounteous resources that nature has scattered with so liberal a hand——even the diffused intelligence and elevated character of our people——will avail us nothing if we fail sacredly to uphold those political institutions that were wisely and deliberately formed with reference to every circumstance that could preserve or might endanger the blessings we enjoy. The thoughtful framers of our Constitution legislated for our country as they found it. Looking upon it with the eyes of statesmen and patriots, they saw all the sources of rapid and wonderful prosperity; but they saw also that various habits, opinions and institutions peculiar to the various portions of so vast a region were deeply fixed.?

因此，所有公民在自己的能力范圍內(nèi)，無論該范圍是大是小，都有責(zé)任維護(hù)我國的繁榮狀態(tài)，這一責(zé)任義不容辭！如果我們因現(xiàn)有的優(yōu)勢而自鳴得意，我們就忘記了歷史的教訓(xùn)。我們的政治制度是在考慮了各種有可能危機(jī)我們幸福的情況之后而集思廣益、精心制定的，如果我們自己不注意保護(hù)這一制度，那么我國的優(yōu)異地理位置、宜人氣候和自然慷慨給予我國的海量資源，甚至我們?nèi)嗣竦穆斆鞑胖呛透呱衅焚|(zhì)，都無法拯救我們。建國之時，我國的立憲者們悉心制定為國制定法律。他們以政客的智慧和愛國者的熱情審視這個國家，看到了我國具有迅速崛起、興旺發(fā)達(dá)的潛力；但他們也看到了，我國遼闊疆土上的各地區(qū)的不同的習(xí)性、思想和制度也已根深蒂固。

Distinct sovereignties were in actual existence, whose cordial union was essential to the welfare and happiness of all. Between many of them there was, at least to some extent, a real diversity of interests, liable to be exaggerated through sinister designs; they differed in size, in population, in wealth, and in actual and prospective resources and power; they varied in the character of their industry and staple productions, and [in some] existed domestic institutions which, unwisely disturbed, might endanger the harmony of the whole. Most carefully were all these circumstances weighed, and the foundations of the new Government laid upon principles of reciprocal concession and equitable compromise. The jealousies which the smaller States might entertain of the power of the rest were allayed by a rule of representation confessedly unequal at the time, and designed forever to remain so. A natural fear that the broad scope of general legislation might bear upon and unwisely control particular interests was counteracted by limits strictly drawn around the action of the Federal authority, and to the people and the States was left unimpaired their sovereign power over the innumerable subjects embraced in the internal government of a just republic, excepting such only as necessarily appertain to the concerns of the whole confederacy or its intercourse as a united community with the other nations of the world.

各州的差異是客觀存在的，正因此聯(lián)邦才需要顧及所有州的幸福利益。但有些州在一定程度上正企圖惡意夸大自身與其他州的利益沖突；各州在領(lǐng)土面積、人口、財富，現(xiàn)今發(fā)展?fàn)顟B(tài)和未來發(fā)展前景都不盡相同；各州的產(chǎn)業(yè)性質(zhì)和主要產(chǎn)品也不同，因此如果不妥當(dāng)加以干涉，[部分]州的州政府部門可能會危害整個聯(lián)邦的安危。在仔細(xì)權(quán)衡了各州情況后，本屆新政府決定將互惠讓步、公平妥協(xié)的原則作為執(zhí)政基礎(chǔ)。早在建國之初，我國就規(guī)定兩院的代表數(shù)量不同，并永不改變該制度，以減少較小的州對大州產(chǎn)生的不滿。聯(lián)邦立法機(jī)關(guān)管轄范圍較廣，因此自然有人擔(dān)心聯(lián)邦會壓迫、危害自己的利益，不過針對聯(lián)邦政府的行動也制定了種種限制，予以抵消，人民和各州只是團(tuán)結(jié)在一個正義共和國的政府領(lǐng)導(dǎo)下，只要該事務(wù)不涉及聯(lián)邦整體的利益，不影響到聯(lián)邦整體與世界其他國家的關(guān)系，那么該事務(wù)的處理權(quán)完全交由你們自己。

This provident forecast has been verified by time. Half a century, teeming with extraordinary events, and elsewhere producing astonishing results, has passed along, but on our institutions it has left no injurious mark. From a small community we have risen to a people powerful in numbers and in strength; but with our increase has gone hand in hand the progress of just principles. The privileges, civil and religious, of the humblest individual are still sacredly protected at home, and while the valor and fortitude of our people have removed far from us the slightest apprehension of foreign power, they have not yet induced us in a single instance to forget what is right. Our commerce has been extended to the remotest nations; the value and even nature of our productions have been greatly changed; a wide difference has arisen in the relative wealth and resources of every portion of our country; yet the spirit of mutual regard and of faithful adherence to existing compacts has continued to prevail in our councils and never long been absent from our conduct. We have learned by experience a fruitful lesson——that an implicit and undeviating adherence to the principles on which we set out can carry us prosperously onward through all the conflicts of circumstances and vicissitudes inseparable from the lapse of years.

時間已經(jīng)證明了開國元勛們的遠(yuǎn)見。半個世紀(jì)過去了，這段時間中我國發(fā)生了許多不平凡的事情，世界各地也有天翻地覆的變化，但這一切都未危及我國的制度。我們從一個小邦聯(lián)成長為一個人口眾多、實力強(qiáng)勁的民族；隨著我國實力增長，平等思想也在不斷發(fā)展。即使是我國最底層的公民，其公民權(quán)和宗教權(quán)也同樣受到神圣不可侵犯，雖然我國人民堅強(qiáng)勇敢，早已不懼外國勢力，但我國人民也從未偏離正確道路。我國的商貿(mào)范圍已經(jīng)涵蓋了最遙遠(yuǎn)的國家；我國產(chǎn)品的價值和性質(zhì)都有巨大改變；我國各地的財富和自然資源都相對存在較大差異；不過我們通過契約達(dá)成的互相尊重、忠實守約的精神仍在我國議會中占主導(dǎo)思想，且從未遠(yuǎn)去。我們從歷史中吸取到了有益的教訓(xùn)——只要我們堅守自己立下的原則不動搖，我們就可以在時過境遷中順利度過各種挑戰(zhàn)。

The success that has thus attended our great experiment is in itself a sufficient cause for gratitude, on account of the happiness it has actually conferred and the example it has unanswerably given. But to me, my fellow-citizens, looking forward to the far-distant future with ardent prayers and confiding hopes, this retrospect presents a ground for still deeper delight. It impresses on my mind a firm belief that the perpetuity of our institutions depends upon ourselves; that if we maintain the principles on which they were established they are destined to confer their benefits on countless generations yet to come, and that America will present to every friend of mankind the cheering proof that a popular government, wisely formed, is wanting in no element of endurance or strength. Fifty years ago its rapid failure was boldly predicted. Latent and uncontrollable causes of dissolution were supposed to exist even by the wise and good, and not only did unfriendly or speculative theorists anticipate for us the fate of past republics, but the fears of many an honest patriot overbalanced his sanguine hopes. Look back on these forebodings, not hastily but reluctantly made, and see how in every instance they have completely failed.

我們偉大政治嘗試取得了成功，成功本身就足以值得我們感激，畢竟它的確給我們帶來了幸福，也不言而喻給我們立下典范。但是，同胞們，于我而言，每當(dāng)我虔誠祈禱、滿懷希望地看向遙遠(yuǎn)的未來時，此次成功的回憶都會讓我充滿樂觀。這使我產(chǎn)生了一個信念，那就是我們的制度能否永存取決于我們自己；只要我們堅守立國之本，勢必能將此福利延續(xù)千秋萬代，美國將向全人類友邦證明，一個智者組建的民選政府能強(qiáng)大無比，永世長存。50年前，有人斗膽預(yù)測美國會迅速敗亡。即便是賢能才人也認(rèn)為聯(lián)邦解體的潛在風(fēng)險難以掌控，不僅一些不看好我們的政治理論家預(yù)言美國將遭受同古共和國一樣的厄運，就連許多正直愛國者的樂觀期望也被恐懼取而代之?，F(xiàn)在回看這些預(yù)測，它們就算不是過于草率，也十分牽強(qiáng)附會，這些預(yù)測從所有方面來說都徹底失敗了。

An imperfect experience during the struggles of the Revolution was supposed to warrant the belief that the people would not bear the taxation requisite to discharge an immense public debt already incurred and to pay the necessary expenses of the Government. The cost of two wars has been paid, not only without a murmur; but with unequaled alacrity. No one is now left to doubt that every burden will be cheerfully borne that may be necessary to sustain our civil institutions or guard our honor or welfare. Indeed, all experience has shown that the willingness of the people to contribute to these ends in cases of emergency has uniformly outrun the confidence of their representatives.

有人根據(jù)獨立戰(zhàn)爭時期我國一段不美好的往事，因而堅信美國人民不會愿意為政府必要開支和國債而納稅。兩場戰(zhàn)爭的開銷都已償清，證明我國人民不僅沒有怨言；而且熱情高漲?，F(xiàn)在沒有人會再懷疑我國人民愿意承擔(dān)起捍衛(wèi)民政、榮譽和幸福之責(zé)任的決心了。事實上，一切歷史都表明，人民在危急關(guān)頭所一致表現(xiàn)出捍衛(wèi)祖國的決心甚至超過他們的代表。

In the early stages of the new Government, when all felt the imposing influence as they recognized the unequaled services of the first President, it was a common sentiment that the great weight of his character could alone bind the discordant materials of our Government together and save us from the violence of contending factions. Since his death nearly forty years are gone. Party exasperation has been often carried to its highest point; the virtue and fortitude of the people have sometimes been greatly tried; yet our system, purified and enhanced in value by all it has encountered, still preserves its spirit of free and fearless discussion, blended with unimpaired fraternal feeling.

聯(lián)邦政府成立之初，所有人都受到我國首任總統(tǒng)的卓越服務(wù)貢獻(xiàn)深刻影響，大家公認(rèn)只有華盛頓總統(tǒng)的高貴品質(zhì)才能將我國團(tuán)結(jié)在一起，并保護(hù)我們不受黨派斗爭的傷害。如今華盛頓總統(tǒng)與世長辭已近40年。黨派沖突幾近不可調(diào)和；人民的美德和堅強(qiáng)受到巨大考驗；但是我們的制度在經(jīng)歷這一切后，反而得到了改善增強(qiáng)，且依舊保留著自由大膽討論的精神，我們的兄弟之情牢不可破。

The capacity of the people for self-government, and their willingness, from a high sense of duty and without those exhibitions of coercive power so generally employed in other countries, to submit to all needful restraints and exactions of municipal law, have also been favorably exemplified in the history of the American States.?

我國人民有優(yōu)秀的自治能力和強(qiáng)大的意志力，這一切都出自他們自身高度的責(zé)任感，而不是像其他國家人民那樣被迫屈服于淫威，我國人民自愿向必要的限制做出讓步，遵從國內(nèi)法律的要求，這一點已經(jīng)從美國歷史中得到了印證。

Occasionally, it is true, the ardor of public sentiment, outrunning the regular progress of the judicial tribunals or seeking to reach cases not denounced as criminal by the existing law, has displayed itself in a manner calculated to give pain to the friends of free government and to encourage the hopes of those who wish for its overthrow. These occurrences, however, have been far less frequent in our country than in any other of equal population on the globe, and with the diffusion of intelligence it may well be hoped that they will constantly diminish in frequency and violence. The generous patriotism and sound common sense of the great mass of our fellow-citizens will assuredly in time produce this result; for as every assumption of illegal power not only wounds the majesty of the law, but furnishes a pretext for abridging the liberties of the people, the latter have the most direct and permanent interest in preserving the landmarks of social order and maintaining on all occasions the inviolability of those constitutional and legal provisions which they themselves have made.

偶爾有時，人民熱情確實會影響到司法法庭的正常審判，要求為現(xiàn)行法律下不構(gòu)成犯罪的行為立案，這不免讓自由政府的支持者感到寒心，也讓自由政府的反對者幸災(zāi)樂禍。但是這些事情在我國發(fā)生的概率，遠(yuǎn)低于全球任何和我國人口相等的其他國家，而且隨著我國教育普及，未來此類事件的頻率和烈度非常有望不斷降低。我國廣大同胞熱愛祖國，具備常識，一定很快就能產(chǎn)生令人滿意的效果；因為每一次非法權(quán)力的使用都會有損法律的威嚴(yán)，同時也為政府剝奪人民自由埋下隱患，自由永遠(yuǎn)是人民的直接利益，因此人民會維護(hù)社會秩序，無論何時都會捍衛(wèi)自己制定的憲法和法規(guī)，確保其神圣不可侵犯。

In a supposed unfitness of our institutions for those hostile emergencies which no country can always avoid their friends found a fruitful source of apprehension, their enemies of hope. While they foresaw less promptness of action than in governments differently formed, they overlooked the far more important consideration that with us war could never be the result of individual or irresponsible will, but must be a measure of redress for injuries sustained voluntarily resorted to by those who were to bear the necessary sacrifice, who would consequently feel an individual interest in the contest, and whose energy would be commensurate with the difficulties to be encountered. Actual events have proved their error; the last war, far from impairing, gave new confidence to our Government, and amid recent apprehensions of a similar conflict we saw that the energies of our country would not be wanting in ample season to vindicate its rights. We may not possess, as we should not desire to possess, the extended and ever-ready military organization of other nations; we may occasionally suffer in the outset for the want of it; but among ourselves all doubt upon this great point has ceased, while a salutary experience will prevent a contrary opinion from inviting aggression from abroad.

有人預(yù)測，我國制度無法應(yīng)對不可避免的緊急戰(zhàn)爭，這種說法讓我國制度的擁護(hù)者憂心忡忡，讓其反對者滿懷希望。但他們的預(yù)測能力很明顯趕不上我們政府形式的變化，他們忽略了一個很重要的因素，那就是如果我們開始了一場戰(zhàn)爭，原因絕對不在個人，也不是因為失職，而僅是對我國受到侵害的一種補救手段，在戰(zhàn)爭中，有些人會做出必要的犧牲，也有人在深深感受到自己正在捍衛(wèi)自身利益，我國人民的力量足以面對未來的一切困難。事實也證明了這些人的錯誤，上場戰(zhàn)爭非但沒有讓政府失去民心，反而加強(qiáng)了人民對政府的信任，在近期處理類似沖突時，我們也能看到我國在富甲一方的同時，也絲毫不缺乏維護(hù)自身權(quán)利的國力。我國即沒有，也不打算像其他國家那樣擴(kuò)充常備軍；雖然戰(zhàn)爭初期我們可能因為缺少常備軍而吃虧；但是我國內(nèi)部毫不質(zhì)疑削減軍隊是正確之舉，根據(jù)經(jīng)驗，反而擴(kuò)軍才會引起外國敵視。

Certain danger was foretold from the extension of our territory, the multiplication of States, and the increase of population. Our system was supposed to be adapted only to boundaries comparatively narrow. These have been widened beyond conjecture; the members of our Confederacy are already doubled, and the numbers of our people are incredibly augmented. The alleged causes of danger have long surpassed anticipation, but none of the consequences have followed. The power and influence of the Republic have arisen to a height obvious to all mankind; respect for its authority was not more apparent at its ancient than it is at its present limits; new and inexhaustible sources of general prosperity have been opened; the effects of distance have been averted by the inventive genius of our people, developed and fostered by the spirit of our institutions; and the enlarged variety and amount of interests, productions, and pursuits have strengthened the chain of mutual dependence and formed a circle of mutual benefits too apparent ever to be overlooked.

有人預(yù)測，我國擴(kuò)張疆土，并入新州，人口增加會引起危機(jī)。他們認(rèn)為我國的制度只適合小國寡民。但情況的發(fā)展遠(yuǎn)超過人民預(yù)期；聯(lián)邦的州數(shù)量增加了一倍，我國人口在迅速增長。這些所謂會導(dǎo)致危機(jī)的因素發(fā)展也早已超越人們預(yù)期，然而沒有任何危機(jī)發(fā)生。共和國的國力和影響力已經(jīng)達(dá)到世人無法忽視的高度；世人對共和國政府的尊重也不亞于古時；其為我們?nèi)w的繁榮打開無盡的源泉；得益于我國的制度，人民富于創(chuàng)新的天才思維幫助我們克服了距離的影響；我們的利益發(fā)展，產(chǎn)量提高，追求遠(yuǎn)大，這一切使得我們相互依賴，緊密相連，形成了一個不可忽視的互惠圈。

In justly balancing the powers of the Federal and State authorities difficulties nearly insurmountable arose at the outset and subsequent collisions were deemed inevitable. Amid these it was scarcely believed possible that a scheme of government so complex in construction could remain uninjured. From time to time embarrassments have certainly occurred; but how just is the confidence of future safety imparted by the knowledge that each in succession has been happily removed! Overlooking partial and temporary evils as inseparable from the practical operation of all human institutions, and looking only to the general result, every patriot has reason to be satisfied. While the Federal Government has successfully performed its appropriate functions in relation to foreign affairs and concerns evidently national, that of every State has remarkably improved in protecting and developing local interests and individual welfare; and if the vibrations of authority have occasionally tended too much toward one or the other, it is unquestionably certain that the ultimate operation of the entire system has been to strengthen all the existing institutions and to elevate our whole country in prosperity and renown.

在合理平衡聯(lián)邦政府和州政府的權(quán)力時，我們在一開始就遭遇了近乎無法克服的困難，后來人們認(rèn)為這不可避免地會引發(fā)沖突。這種情況下，幾乎沒有人相信我們?nèi)绱藦?fù)雜的一個政府還能保持不變，堅守初心。誠然，我們多次陷入窘境；但是我們一次又一次克服了所有困難，這怎能讓我們不對國家未來的安寧充滿信心！不要片面地把視線放在暫時的弊端上，這是所有人類制度在實踐中都免不了的，若放眼我們?nèi)〉玫恼w成果，每一位愛國者都會感到心滿意足。聯(lián)邦政府成功在外交事務(wù)和全國問題上履行了自己的職能，各州政府也出色地完成了保護(hù)并發(fā)展本州利益和個人幸福的職能；雖然權(quán)力有時向兩邊反復(fù)傾倒，但制度整體的運作毫無疑問會強(qiáng)化政府現(xiàn)有的各部門，并推動我國繁榮，提高國家威望。

The last, perhaps the greatest, of the prominent sources of discord and disaster supposed to lurk in our political condition was the institution of domestic slavery. Our forefathers were deeply impressed with the delicacy of this subject, and they treated it with a forbearance so evidently wise that in spite of every sinister foreboding it never until the present period disturbed the tranquillity of our common country. Such a result is sufficient evidence of the justice and the patriotism of their course; it is evidence not to be mistaken that an adherence to it can prevent all embarrassment from this as well as from every other anticipated cause of difficulty or danger. Have not recent events made it obvious to the slightest reflection that the least deviation from this spirit of forbearance is injurious to every interest, that of humanity included? Amidst the violence of excited passions this generous and fraternal feeling has been sometimes disregarded; and standing as I now do before my countrymen, in this high place of honor and of trust, I can not refrain from anxiously invoking my fellow-citizens never to be deaf to its dictates. Perceiving before my election the deep interest this subject was beginning to excite, I believed it a solemn duty fully to make known my sentiments in regard to it, and now, when every motive for misrepresentation has passed away, I trust that they will be candidly weighed and understood. At least they will be my standard of conduct in the path before me. I then declared that if the desire of those of my countrymen who were favorable to my election was gratified "I must go into the Presidential chair the inflexible and uncompromising opponent of every attempt on the part of Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia against the wishes of the slaveholding States, and also with a determination equally decided to resist the slightest interference with it in the States where it exists."?

最后，也許也是最重大的問題，有人認(rèn)為我國政治動亂危機(jī)的根源是國內(nèi)的奴隸制。我們的先輩們深知這一話題的敏感性，因此采取了妥協(xié)對待，這一做法無比明智，雖然有種種不祥之兆，但是截止至今，該做法并未擾亂我國安寧。這便足以證明先輩們的正義和愛國；毫無疑問，只要堅持妥協(xié)，我們就可以避免奴隸制給我們造成的任何窘境，同理也適用于其他可能引起危機(jī)的因素。近期發(fā)生的事情，難道還不足以讓大家認(rèn)識到，哪怕稍微偏離妥協(xié)精神，都會危害到各地，乃至全人類的利益嗎？有時大家的情緒過于高昂，都忽視了這一慷慨友好的精神；正如我現(xiàn)在在同胞們面前一樣，即使位居萬眾矚目之職，也只能盡可能地呼吁大家聽取總統(tǒng)的建議。在我就職總統(tǒng)之前，我就意識到民眾十分關(guān)注奴隸制問題，所以我認(rèn)為表達(dá)我對該問題的看法是我的莊嚴(yán)責(zé)任，現(xiàn)在，一切可能引發(fā)誤解的因素都已消失，我希望大家能夠坦誠地權(quán)衡、理解我的觀點。起碼這些觀點將成為我未來的執(zhí)政原則。如果我的同胞們對我的當(dāng)選感到高興的話，我宣布“我就職總統(tǒng)后，會同哥倫比亞特區(qū)的頑固強(qiáng)硬派作斗爭，反對國會任何違背蓄奴州意愿廢除奴隸制的嘗試，同樣堅決不允許對現(xiàn)有的奴隸制進(jìn)行任何干涉，多么微小的干涉都不允許?！?/strong>

I submitted also to my fellow-citizens, with fullness and frankness, the reasons which led me to this determination. The result authorizes me to believe that they have been approved and are confided in by a majority of the people of the United States, including those whom they most immediately affect. It now only remains to add that no bill conflicting with these views can ever receive my constitutional sanction. These opinions have been adopted in the firm belief that they are in accordance with the spirit that actuated the venerated fathers of the Republic, and that succeeding experience has proved them to be humane, patriotic, expedient, honorable, and just. If the agitation of this subject was intended to reach the stability of our institutions, enough has occurred to show that it has signally failed, and that in this as in every other instance the apprehensions of the timid and the hopes of the wicked for the destruction of our Government are again destined to be disappointed. Here and there, indeed, scenes of dangerous excitement have occurred, terrifying instances of local violence have been witnessed, and a reckless disregard of the consequences of their conduct has exposed individuals to popular indignation; but neither masses of the people nor sections of the country have been swerved from their devotion to the bond of union and the principles it has made sacred. It will be ever thus. Such attempts at dangerous agitation may periodically return, but with each the object will be better understood. That predominating affection for our political system which prevails throughout our territorial limits, that calm and enlightened judgment which ultimately governs our people as one vast body, will always be at hand to resist and control every effort, foreign or domestic, which aims or would lead to overthrow our institutions.

我此前就已向同胞們充分坦率地表述了我做出這一決定的原因。選舉的結(jié)果讓我相信，大多數(shù)美國人民，包括直接受到奴隸制影響的部分人，都贊成、相信我的觀點。我現(xiàn)在只需再次強(qiáng)調(diào)一下，任何違背了此觀點的法案都不會得到我的法律授權(quán)。我采納這些觀點，是因為我相信它們符合共和國偉大先輩們的妥協(xié)精神，后來的事情也證明這些觀點兼顧人道、愛國、合理、榮譽、正義。如果有人想利用奴隸制問題動搖我國制度，那過去發(fā)生的事已經(jīng)足以證明他們失敗了，無論那些邪惡的懦夫試圖用什么辦法摧毀聯(lián)邦政府，他們的計劃都注定會再次落空。事實上，多地的人群情緒出現(xiàn)失控，這些地區(qū)的暴力事件也隨處可見，他們這種魯莽不計后果的行為已經(jīng)引起了眾怒；但是無論是廣大人民群眾還是國家各部門，都沒有偏離初心，始終致力于維系聯(lián)邦統(tǒng)一，捍衛(wèi)我國的神圣原則。

What can be more gratifying than such a retrospect as this??We look back on obstacles avoided and dangers overcome,on expectations more than realized and prosperity perfectly secured.?To the hopes of the hostile, the fears of the timid, and the doubts of the anxious actual experience has given the conclusive reply. We have seen time gradually dispel every unfavorable foreboding and our Constitution surmount every adverse circumstance dreaded at the outset as beyond control. Present excitement will at all times magnify present dangers, but true philosophy must teach us that none more threatening than the past can remain to be overcome; and we ought (for we have just reason) to entertain an abiding confidence in the stability of our institutions and an entire conviction that if administered in the true form, character, and spirit in which they were established they are abundantly adequate to preserve to us and our children the rich blessings already derived from them, to make our beloved land for a thousand generations that chosen spot where happiness springs from a perfect equality of political rights.

回顧往事，還有什么比這件事更讓我們感到欣慰的嗎？我們回看化解的障礙和克服的危機(jī)，回看遠(yuǎn)超我們預(yù)期的未來和不可撼動的繁榮。對于敵對分子的幻想、懦夫的恐懼和不安者的質(zhì)疑，事實已經(jīng)給出了最終答案。我們看到，時間慢慢化解了我們的一切不安預(yù)感，起初讓我們感到恐懼，我們無法控制的種種逆境，如今都已經(jīng)被憲法克服。雖然當(dāng)下難以控制的民情會擴(kuò)大我國正面臨的危機(jī)，但哲學(xué)告訴我們，我們過去已經(jīng)克服了最艱難的危機(jī)，未來不足為懼。因此我們應(yīng)始終對我國制度的長久抱有信心(因為我們完全有理由如此)，并堅信只要我們堅持其最初的政治模式、本質(zhì)和精神，我們和我們的子孫后代一定都能像現(xiàn)在這樣得到豐厚的回報，讓我們千秋萬代熱愛的土地成為一片幸福泉涌、政治權(quán)利平等的天選之地。

For myself, therefore, I desire to declare that the principle that will govern me in the high duty to which my country calls me is a strict adherence to the letter and spirit of the Constitution as it was designed by those who framed it. Looking back to it as a sacred instrument carefully and not easily framed; remembering that it was throughout a work of concession and compromise; viewing it as limited to national objects; regarding it as leaving to the people and the States all power not explicitly parted with, I shall endeavor to preserve, protect, and defend it by anxiously referring to its provision for direction in every action. To matters of domestic concernment which it has intrusted to the Federal Government and to such as relate to our intercourse with foreign nations I shall zealously devote myself; beyond those limits I shall never pass.

因此，我宣布我本人就職總統(tǒng)的執(zhí)政原則嚴(yán)格遵守制憲者們?yōu)閼椃ㄋ贫ǖ牡目蚣堋?nèi)容和精神。我們再看憲法，憲法不僅是來之不易的神圣文獻(xiàn)；還是我們妥協(xié)讓步的成果；其是全國范圍的通用法；也是人民和國家明確不可分割的權(quán)力，我會盡全力維護(hù)憲法，保護(hù)憲法，捍衛(wèi)憲法，每一項行政舉措都確保符合憲法法規(guī)。

To enter on this occasion into a further or more minute exposition of my views on the various questions of domestic policy would be as obtrusive as it is probably unexpected. Before the suffrages of my countrymen were conferred upon me I submitted to them, with great precision, my opinions on all the most prominent of these subjects. Those opinions I shall endeavor to carry out with my utmost ability.

在現(xiàn)在這一場合，我如若進(jìn)一步細(xì)致地談?wù)撐覈鴩鴥?nèi)的政策，就稍顯突兀了，不是大家希望看到的。在同胞們將票投給我之前，我就已經(jīng)談?wù)撨^涉及我國最主要的問題的個人看法。我將盡全力解決這些問題。

Our course of foreign policy has been so uniform and intelligible as to constitute a rule of Executive conduct which leaves little to my discretion, unless, indeed, I were willing to run counter to the lights of experience and the known opinions of my constituents. We sedulously cultivate the friendship of all nations as the conditions most compatible with our welfare and the principles of our Government. We decline alliances as adverse to our peace. We desire commercial relations on equal terms, being ever willing to give a fair equivalent for advantages received. We endeavor to conduct our intercourse with openness and sincerity, promptly avowing our objects and seeking to establish that mutual frankness which is as beneficial in the dealings of nations as of men. We have no disposition and we disclaim all right to meddle in disputes, whether internal or foreign, that may molest other countries, regarding them in their actual state as social communities, and preserving a strict neutrality in all their controversies. Well knowing the tried valor of our people and our exhaustless resources, we neither anticipate nor fear any designed aggression; and in the consciousness of our own just conduct we feel a security that we shall never be called upon to exert our determination never to permit an invasion of our rights without punishment or redress.

我國的外交政策清晰且無爭議，已經(jīng)成為了我國的行政慣例，我?guī)缀鯖]有修改它的權(quán)力，除非我想違背歷史經(jīng)驗和我選民們的意愿。我國致力于同所有國家建立友誼，因為這符合我國政府的利益與原則。我們不接受結(jié)盟，因為此舉會危機(jī)和平。我們希望用平等的條款建立商業(yè)關(guān)系，我們愿意以合理等價物換取利益。我們努力以開放、真誠的態(tài)度進(jìn)行對外交流，即時宣布我們的國家目標(biāo)，尋求建立互坦誠相待的關(guān)系，以促進(jìn)個體和各國交往。我們沒有意向，沒無權(quán)干涉他國爭端，無論是國際爭端還是內(nèi)部爭端，我們都無意介入傷害他國，我們將各國視為社會共同體，會在他們的爭端中恪守中立。我深知我國人民英勇無畏，我國資源用之不竭，因此我們不愿打仗，但也不懼怕任何蓄意入侵；我相信，只要我們知道自己的行為光明正義，我國公民就會不怕犧牲、不求回報地維護(hù)國家權(quán)利，也使得我相信，沒有國家敢挑戰(zhàn)我們，我們永遠(yuǎn)不必這么做。

In approaching, then, in the presence of my assembled countrymen, to make the solemn promise that yet remains, and to pledge myself that I will faithfully execute the office I am about to fill, I bring with me a settled purpose to maintain the institutions of my country, which I trust will atone for the errors I commit.

那么，現(xiàn)在我站在聚集于此的同胞們面前，莊嚴(yán)宣誓我未來將實現(xiàn)的諾言，我發(fā)誓我會全身心投入職務(wù)，我會將捍衛(wèi)我國制度作為我的既定目標(biāo)，我相信此舉可以彌補我犯下的錯誤。

In receiving from the people the sacred trust twice confided to my illustrious predecessor, and which he has discharged so faithfully and so well, I know that I can not expect to perform the arduous task with equal ability and success. But united as I have been in his counsels, a daily witness of his exclusive and unsurpassed devotion to his country's welfare, agreeing with him in sentiments which his countrymen have warmly supported, and permitted to partake largely of his confidence, I may hope that somewhat of the same cheering approbation will be found to attend upon my path. For him I but express with my own the wishes of all, that he may yet long live to enjoy the brilliant evening of his well-spent life; and for myself, conscious of but one desire, faithfully to serve my country, I throw myself without fear on its justice and its kindness. Beyond that I only look to the gracious protection of the Divine Being whose strengthening support I humbly solicit, and whom I fervently pray to look down upon us all. May it be among the dispensations of His providence to bless our beloved country with honors and with length of days. May her ways be ways of pleasantness and all her paths be peace!

前任總統(tǒng)能力杰出，兩度得到人民信任，他出色地如實完成了自己的使命，如今這一使命傳遞到我之手，我深知自己能力遜色，不可能同樣出色地完成如此艱巨任務(wù)。但我與他共事多年，每天都能看到他對國家福祉做出無與倫比的卓越貢獻(xiàn)，我欣賞他的許多見解，這些見解同樣得到了同胞們的熱切支持，這在很大程度上增強(qiáng)了我的信心，我希望未來我的執(zhí)政之路也可以得到人民同樣的認(rèn)可。我個人代表大家向他獻(xiàn)上我們的祝愿，祝愿他長命百歲，幸福安康，安享晚年；對于我自己，我只有一個愿望，那就是忠實地為國服務(wù)，為我國的正義和善良而無所畏懼地奉獻(xiàn)自己。除去以上，我僅希望上帝能繼續(xù)仁慈地保佑我們，上帝凌駕于我們所有人之上，我虔誠謙卑地祈求上帝的庇佑。愿上帝賜福于我們深愛的國家，讓她沐以榮譽，經(jīng)久不衰。愿祖國的道盡是歡樂，愿她的路皆是安康。(譯者注：因為該句引自《圣經(jīng)》，所以直接摘取了《圣經(jīng)》現(xiàn)版本的翻譯)

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。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，很多觀點看法可能已經(jīng)不再適用今天的世界，西方的觀點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，但是請保持獨立思考，理性看待演講內(nèi)容，切勿全信或?qū)⑵浞顬檎胬怼?/strong>

標(biāo)簽：維多利亞昭昭天命學(xué)習(xí)演講美國英語總統(tǒng)P社Paradox歷史