Fellow-Citizens: 同胞们：
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." 今天，我来到你们面前，郑重宣誓：“我将忠实履行合众国总统的职务，并将竭尽所能，维护、保护和捍卫合众国宪法。”
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 institutions throughout many generations. 在就任这一崇高职务之际，我必须谦卑地祈求先辈所信奉的上帝赐予我智慧与坚定，使我能够履行这项重大而责任深远的职责，恢复各州人民之间的和睦与旧日友谊，并使我们的自由制度世代长存。
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. 我深信，自己之所以当选，是因为美国人民心中依然怀有对宪法和联邦的内在热爱。因此，我恳切请求他们给予有力支持，维护一切旨在使宪法和联邦永续的正当措施；这是上天赐予任何国家的最丰厚的政治福祉。
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. 我已决定不再竞选连任，因此，在治理政府时，除了竭诚而忠实地报效国家，并以值得感念的形象留在同胞记忆中以外，不会有任何动机左右我的行为。
We have recently passed through a Presidential contest in which the passions of our fellow-citizens were excited to the highest degree by questions of deep and vital importance; but when the people proclaimed their will the tempest at once subsided and all was calm. 我们刚刚经历了一场总统竞选，其中一些事关重大、影响深远的问题，把同胞们的情绪激发到了极点；然而，当人民表达自己的意志时，风暴立刻平息，一切重归宁静。
The voice of the majority, speaking in the manner prescribed by the Constitution, was heard, and instant submission followed. Our own country could alone have exhibited so grand and striking a spectacle of the capacity of man for self-government. 多数人的声音依照宪法规定的方式得到表达，随即人人服从。唯有我们的国家，才能如此庄严而鲜明地展示人类实行自治的能力。
What a happy conception, then, was it for Congress to apply this simple rule, that the will of the majority shall govern, to the settlement of the question of domestic slavery in the Territories. Congress is neither "to legislate slavery into any Territory or State nor to exclude it therefrom, but to leave the people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic institutions in their own way, subject only to the Constitution of the United States." 因此，国会把“多数人的意志应当居于主导”这一简单原则用于解决领地内的奴隶制度问题，是何等明智的构想。国会既不应“以立法方式把奴隶制度强加给任何领地或州，也不应把它从那里排除，而应让当地人民在仅受合众国宪法约束的前提下，完全自由地以自己的方式建立和规范本地制度”。
As a natural consequence, Congress has also prescribed that when the Territory of Kansas shall be admitted as a State it "shall be received into the Union with or without slavery, as their constitution may prescribe at the time of their admission." 顺理成章的是，国会还规定，堪萨斯领地获准建州时，“应当按照其获准加入时本州宪法的规定，以实行或不实行奴隶制度的状态接纳进联邦”。
A difference of opinion has arisen in regard to the point of time when the people of a Territory shall decide this question for themselves. 对于领地人民应在何时自行决定这一问题，人们产生了意见分歧。
This is, happily, a matter of but little practical importance. Besides, it is a judicial question, which legitimately belongs to the Supreme Court of the United States, before whom it is now pending, and will, it is understood, be speedily and finally settled. 幸而，这在实际层面并没有多大重要性。此外，这是一个司法问题，理应由合众国最高法院裁决；此案目前正在该院审理，据了解，很快就会得到最终裁决。
To their decision, in common with all good citizens, I shall cheerfully submit, whatever this may be, though it has ever been my individual opinion that under the Nebraska-Kansas act the appropriate period will be when the number of actual residents in the Territory shall justify the formation of a constitution with a view to its admission as a State into the Union. 无论判决结果如何，我都将同所有善良公民一样欣然服从。不过，我个人始终认为，根据内布拉斯加—堪萨斯法案，适当的时机应是领地实际居民人数已足以支持制定一部宪法，以便申请作为一州加入联邦之时。
But be this as it may, it is the imperative and indispensable duty of the Government of the United States to secure to every resident inhabitant the free and independent expression of his opinion by his vote. This sacred right of each individual must be preserved. 但无论如何，合众国政府都负有不可推卸且不可或缺的职责，必须保障每一位当地居民通过投票自由、独立地表达自己的意见。每个人的这一神圣权利都必须得到维护。
That being accomplished, nothing can be fairer than to leave the people of a Territory free from all foreign interference to decide their own destiny for themselves, subject only to the Constitution of the United States. 做到这一点以后，最公平的办法莫过于让领地人民不受任何外来干涉，在仅受合众国宪法约束的前提下自行决定自己的命运。
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. No other question remains for adjustment, because all agree that under the Constitution slavery in the States is beyond the reach of any human power except that of the respective States themselves wherein it exists. 领地问题既已按照人民主权原则得到解决——这一原则同自由政府本身一样古老——一切实际问题也就有了定论。再没有其他问题需要调整，因为人人都承认，根据宪法，各州境内的奴隶制度不受任何外部力量支配，只有实行这一制度的州本身才有权处置。
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? Most happy will it be for the country when the public mind shall be diverted from this question to others of more pressing and practical importance. 那么，我们难道不能期待，围绕这一问题的长期纷争正在接近终点，而由此产生、为国父所深切忧虑的地域性政党也将迅速消失吗？如果公众的注意力能够从这一问题转向其他更加迫切、更具实际意义的问题，那将是国家莫大的幸事。
Throughout the whole progress of this agitation, which has scarcely known any intermission for more than twenty years, 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. 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. Nor has the danger yet entirely ceased. 二十多年来，这场纷争几乎从未停歇；在整个过程中，它没有给任何人带来实际好处，却给奴隶主、奴隶和整个国家造成了无穷祸患。它使各姊妹州的人民彼此疏远隔绝，甚至严重危及联邦的存续。这种危险至今仍未完全消除。
Under our system there is a remedy for all mere political evils in the sound sense and sober judgment of the people. Time is a great corrective. Political subjects which but a few years ago excited and exasperated the public mind have passed away and are now nearly forgotten. 在我们的制度下，人民健全的常识和冷静的判断足以医治一切纯属政治性质的弊病。时间是伟大的纠偏力量。若干年前还曾激起并激怒公众的政治议题，如今已经消退，几乎被人遗忘。
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. 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. 然而，国内奴隶制度问题远比任何单纯的政治问题更加严重，因为纷争若持续下去，最终可能危及许多生活在实行这一制度地区的同胞的人身安全。一旦如此，任何政府形式，无论本身多么可贵、能带来多少物质利益，都无法弥补家庭生活失去和平与安宁的损失。
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. 因此，愿每一位热爱联邦的人都竭尽所能消除这场纷争；自国会近期立法以来，它已经没有任何正当目标。
It is an evil omen of the times that men have undertaken to calculate the mere material value of the Union. Reasoned estimates have been presented of the pecuniary profits and local advantages which would result to different States and sections from its dissolution and of the comparative injuries which such an event would inflict on other States and sections. 有人开始计算联邦单纯的物质价值，这是这个时代的不祥征兆。人们提出了看似有理有据的估算，计算联邦解体会给不同州和地区带来多少金钱收益与地方利益，又会给其他州和地区造成多大相对损害。
Even descending to this low and narrow view of the mighty question, all such calculations are at fault. The bare reference to a single consideration will be conclusive on this point. We at present enjoy a free trade throughout our extensive and expanding country such as the world has never witnessed. 即使把这个重大问题降格到如此低下而狭隘的层面，所有这类计算仍然是错误的。只需指出一个事实，便足以对此作出定论。我们目前在这个辽阔而不断扩展的国家内享有世界从未见过的自由贸易。
This trade is conducted on railroads and canals, on noble rivers and arms of the sea, which bind together the North and the South, the East and the West, of our Confederacy. Annihilate this trade, arrest its free progress by the geographical lines of jealous and hostile States, and you destroy the prosperity and onward march of the whole and every part and involve all in one common ruin. 这种贸易通过铁路、运河、壮阔的河流和海湾水道进行，把我们联邦的南北与东西紧密联结起来。若毁掉这种贸易，以相互猜忌、彼此敌视的州界阻断它的自由流动，你们就会摧毁整体及各部分的繁荣与前进步伐，使所有人一同陷入毁灭。
But such considerations, important as they are in themselves, sink into insignificance when we reflect on the terrific evils which would result from disunion to every portion of the Confederacy--to the North, not more than to the South, to the East not more than to the West. 然而，这些考虑本身虽很重要，但一想到联邦解体将给联邦每一个地区带来的可怕灾难——北方不亚于南方，东方不亚于西方——便显得微不足道。
These I shall not attempt to portray, because I feel an humble confidence that the kind Providence which inspired our fathers with wisdom to frame the most perfect form of government and union ever devised by man will not suffer it to perish until it shall have been peacefully instrumental by its example in the extension of civil and religious liberty throughout the world. 我不打算描绘这些灾难，因为我谦卑而坚定地相信，仁慈的上天曾赋予先辈智慧，使他们建立人类所设计出的最完善的政府形式和联邦；在它尚未通过自身范例，成为把公民自由与宗教自由和平推广到全世界的工具以前，上天不会让它灭亡。
Next in importance to the maintenance of the Constitution and the Union is the duty of preserving the Government free from the taint or even the suspicion of corruption. Public virtue is the vital spirit of republics, and history proves that when this has decayed and the love of money has usurped its place, although the forms of free government may remain for a season, the substance has departed forever. 仅次于维护宪法和联邦的重要职责，是使政府免受腐败的玷污，甚至不受腐败嫌疑的侵扰。公共德行是共和国的生命精神；历史证明，当这种德行衰败，贪财之心取而代之时，自由政府的形式即使还能维持一时，其实质也已永远消失。
Our present financial condition is without a parallel in history. No nation has ever before been embarrassed from too large a surplus in its treasury. This almost necessarily gives birth to extravagant legislation. It produces wild schemes of expenditure and begets a race of speculators and jobbers, whose ingenuity is exerted in contriving and promoting expedients to obtain public money. The purity of official agents, whether rightfully or wrongfully, is suspected, and the character of the government suffers in the estimation of the people. This is in itself a very great evil. 我们目前的财政状况在历史上前所未有。过去从未有一个国家因国库盈余过多而陷入困境。这几乎必然催生铺张浪费的立法，产生种种不切实际的开支方案，并滋养一批投机者和承揽牟利者；他们挖空心思设计和推动攫取公款的办法。无论怀疑是否公允，公职人员的廉洁都会受到质疑，政府在人民心目中的声誉也会受损。这本身就是极大的祸害。
The natural mode of relief from this embarrassment is to appropriate the surplus in the Treasury to great national objects for which a clear warrant can be found in the Constitution. Among these I might mention the extinguishment of the public debt, a reasonable increase of the Navy, which is at present inadequate to the protection of our vast tonnage afloat, now greater than that of any other nation, as well as to the defense of our extended seacoast. 摆脱这一困境的自然办法，是把国库盈余用于宪法有明确依据的重大国家事业。其中可以包括清偿国债，以及适度扩充海军；我国现有海军不足以保护海上总吨位已超过任何其他国家的庞大船队，也不足以防卫绵长的海岸线。
It is beyond all question the true principle that no more revenue ought to be collected from the people than the amount necessary to defray the expenses of a wise, economical, and efficient administration of the Government. To reach this point it was necessary to resort to a modification of the tariff, and this has, I trust, been accomplished in such a manner as to do as little injury as may have been practicable to our domestic manufactures, especially those necessary for the defense of the country. 毫无疑问，真正正确的原则是：向人民征收的税收，不应超过一个明智、节俭而高效的政府维持运作所需的金额。为了达到这一点，必须调整关税；我相信，这项调整已经尽可能减少了对国内制造业的损害，尤其是对国防所必需的制造业的损害。
Any discrimination against a particular branch for the purpose of benefiting favored corporations, individuals, or interests would have been unjust to the rest of the community and inconsistent with that spirit of fairness and equality which ought to govern in the adjustment of a revenue tariff. 如果为了让受偏爱的公司、个人或利益集团得益而歧视某个特定行业，那将对社会其他成员不公，也违背调整财政关税时应当遵循的公平与平等精神。
But the squandering of the public money sinks into comparative insignificance as a temptation to corruption when compared with the squandering of the public lands. 然而，与挥霍公共土地相比，浪费公款作为腐败诱因就显得相对微不足道。
No nation in the tide of time has ever been blessed with so rich and noble an inheritance as we enjoy in the public lands. 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. 纵观历史，从未有哪个国家像我们一样，在公共土地方面得到如此富饶而珍贵的遗产。在管理这项重要托付时，拿出部分土地以改良其余土地或许是明智之举，但我们绝不能忘记，我们的根本政策是尽可能以适中的价格把这些土地留给真正的定居者。
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. 这样做不仅能为新州和领地提供一批坚韧独立、诚实勤劳的公民，从而最有效地促进当地繁荣；还能为我们的子孙后代提供家园，并让那些从异国流亡而来、希望在这里改善处境并享有公民自由和宗教自由的人获得安身之所。
Such emigrants have done much to promote the growth and prosperity of the country. They have proved faithful both in peace and in war. 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. 这些移民为国家的成长与繁荣作出了巨大贡献，无论在和平时期还是战争时期都证明了自己的忠诚。他们成为公民以后，根据宪法和法律，有权同本土出生的公民享有完全平等的地位，并应始终以这一身份得到友善对待。
The Federal Constitution is a grant from the States to Congress of certain specific powers, and the question whether this grant should be liberally or strictly construed has more or less divided political parties from the beginning. 联邦宪法是各州向国会授予若干明确权力的文件；从一开始，对这种授权应作宽泛解释还是严格解释，就或多或少使各政党产生分歧。
Without entering into the argument, I desire to state at the commencement of my Administration that long experience and observation have convinced me that a strict construction of the powers of the Government is the only true, as well as the only safe, theory of the Constitution. Whenever in our past history doubtful powers have been exercised by Congress, these have never failed to produce injurious and unhappy consequences. Many such instances might be adduced if this were the proper occasion. 我无意在此展开论辩，只想在本届政府伊始说明：长期的经验与观察使我确信，严格解释政府权力，是唯一正确而且唯一稳妥的宪法理论。回顾我国历史，每当国会行使存疑的权力时，无不造成有害而不幸的后果。如果场合适宜，本可以列举许多这样的事例。
Neither is it necessary for the public service to strain the language of the Constitution, because all the great and useful powers required for a successful administration of the Government, both in peace and in war, have been granted, either in express terms or by the plainest implication. 公共事务也没有必要曲解宪法文字，因为成功治理政府在和平与战争时期所需的一切重大而有益的权力，都已由宪法明文授予，或通过最清楚不过的含义默示授予。
Whilst deeply convinced of these truths, I yet consider it clear that under the war-making power Congress may appropriate money toward the construction of a military road when this is absolutely necessary for the defense of any State or Territory of the Union against foreign invasion. 尽管我深信这些道理，但我同样认为很清楚：在抵御外国入侵、保卫联邦任何州或领地确有绝对必要时，国会可以依据战争权拨款修建一条军用道路。
Under the Constitution Congress has power "to declare war," "to raise and support armies," "to provide and maintain a navy," and to call forth the militia to "repel invasions." 根据宪法，国会有权“宣战”“招募并供养陆军”“建立并维持海军”，也有权征召民兵“击退入侵”。
Thus endowed, in an ample manner, with the war-making power, the corresponding duty is required that "the United States shall protect each of them [the States] against invasion." 宪法既以充分方式授予战争权，也相应规定了义务，即“合众国应保护各州免遭入侵”。
Now, how is it possible to afford this protection to California and our Pacific possessions except by means of a military road through the Territories of the United States, over which men and munitions of war may be speedily transported from the Atlantic States to meet and to repel the invader? 那么，如果不修建一条穿越合众国领地的军用道路，使人员和军火能够从大西洋沿岸各州迅速运往西部迎击并击退侵略者，我们又怎能保护加利福尼亚和太平洋沿岸的领地？
In the event of a war with a naval power much stronger than our own we should then have no other available access to the Pacific Coast, because such a power would instantly close the route across the isthmus of Central America. It is impossible to conceive that whilst the Constitution has expressly required Congress to defend all the States it should yet deny to them, by any fair construction, the only possible means by which one of these States can be defended. 一旦同一个海军力量远胜于我们的国家交战，我们将再无其他通往太平洋沿岸的可用通道，因为对方会立即封锁横越中美洲地峡的路线。宪法既已明确要求国会保卫所有州，就不可能同时在任何合理解释下剥夺保卫其中一州的唯一可行手段。
Besides, the Government, ever since its origin, has been in the constant practice of constructing military roads. 此外，自政府成立以来，修建军用道路一直是惯常做法。
It might also be wise to consider whether the love for the Union which now animates our fellow-citizens on the Pacific Coast may not be impaired by our neglect or refusal to provide for them, in their remote and isolated condition, the only means by which the power of the States on this side of the Rocky Mountains can reach them in sufficient time to "protect" them "against invasion." 我们或许还应当考虑：太平洋沿岸的同胞如今怀有对联邦的热爱，但他们地处偏远而孤立；如果我们忽视或拒绝为他们提供唯一的通道，使落基山脉以东各州的力量能够及时抵达并“保护”他们“免遭入侵”，这种热爱是否会受到损害。
I forbear for the present from expressing an opinion as to the wisest and most economical mode in which the Government can lend its aid in accomplishing this great and necessary work. I believe that many of the difficulties in the way, which now appear formidable, will in a great degree vanish as soon as the nearest and best route shall have been satisfactorily ascertained. 至于政府应以何种最明智、最节省的方式协助完成这项重大而必要的工程，我目前暂不发表意见。我相信，一旦以令人满意的方式确定最近且最佳的路线，眼下看似棘手的许多困难将在很大程度上自行消失。
It may be proper that on this occasion I should make some brief remarks in regard to our rights and duties as a member of the great family of nations. In our intercourse with them there are some plain principles, approved by our own experience, from which we should never depart. 在这个场合，我或许应该简要谈谈我国作为世界国家大家庭一员所享有的权利和承担的义务。在同各国交往时，有一些经过我们自身经验验证的明确原则，我们绝不应背离。
We ought to cultivate peace, commerce, and friendship with all nations, and this not merely as the best means of promoting our own material interests, but in a spirit of Christian benevolence toward our fellow-men, wherever their lot may be cast. Our diplomacy should be direct and frank, neither seeking to obtain more nor accepting less than is our due. 我们应当同所有国家发展和平、贸易与友谊；这样做不应只因为它是促进我们自身物质利益的最佳手段，还应怀着基督教仁爱精神善待世人，无论他们身处何方。我们的外交应当直接而坦诚，既不谋求超过应得的权益，也不接受少于应得的权益。
We ought to cherish a sacred regard for the independence of all nations, and never attempt to interfere in the domestic concerns of any unless this shall be imperatively required by the great law of self-preservation. To avoid entangling alliances has been a maxim of our policy ever since the days of Washington, and its wisdom's no one will attempt to dispute. 我们应当神圣地尊重所有国家的独立，绝不企图干涉任何国家的内部事务，除非自我保存这一最高法则迫使我们这样做。自华盛顿时代以来，避免卷入纠缠不清的同盟一直是我国的政策准则，没有人会否认其中的智慧。
In short, we ought to do justice in a kindly spirit to all nations and require justice from them in return. 总之，我们应以善意和公正对待所有国家，也要求它们以公正回报我们。
It is our glory that whilst other nations have extended their dominions by the sword we have never acquired any territory except by fair 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 own. Even our acquisitions from Mexico form no exception. 值得我们自豪的是，其他国家以刀剑扩张疆域，而我们从未以这种方式取得领土；我们的领土或是公平购买所得，或是像得克萨斯那样，由勇敢、同宗而独立的人民自愿决定把自己的命运同我们的命运融为一体。即便从墨西哥取得的领土也不例外。
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. Our past history forbids that we shall in the future acquire territory unless this be sanctioned by the laws of justice and honor. 我们不愿利用对一个姊妹共和国作战时的有利形势，于是依据和平条约购买这些领地，所付金额在当时被认为是公平对价。我国过去的历史不允许我们今后取得任何不符合正义与荣誉准则的领土。
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. 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. 只要依照这一原则行事，如果随着时势发展，我们进一步扩展领土，任何国家都无权干涉或抱怨。迄今，在我们取得的所有领土上，人民都在美国国旗保护下享有公民自由、宗教自由以及平等公正的法律，并且安定、繁荣而幸福。
Their trade with the rest of the world has rapidly increased, and thus every commercial nation has shared largely in their successful progress. 他们同世界其他地区的贸易迅速增长，因此，每一个商业国家都从他们的顺利发展中获得了丰厚利益。
I shall now proceed to take the oath prescribed by the Constitution, whilst humbly invoking the blessing of Divine Providence on this great people. 现在，我将依照宪法规定宣誓，并谦卑祈求上天赐福于这个伟大的民族。