1861年 杰弗逊·戴维斯总统 就职演讲
注：戴维斯从未担任过官方意义上的美国总统(President of the United States)，故未收录在美国总统演讲合集中。且戴维斯总统哪怕在19世纪也是较为保守反动的奴隶制支持者，切勿将其话语奉为真理，谨慎参考。
1861年2月18日，杰弗逊·戴维斯在亚拉巴马州首府蒙哥马利市就任美利坚联盟国首任总统。
1860年11月6日，美国共和党候选人亚伯拉罕·林肯赢得了1860年美国总统大选，这名废奴主义者的胜选彻底引爆了美国南北两方积怨已久的矛盾，12月20日，南卡罗来纳州第一个宣布终止和美利坚合众国联邦将其各州的联系，随后密西西比州、佛罗里达州、亚拉巴马州、佐治亚州、路易斯安那州、得克萨斯州、弗吉尼亚州、阿肯色州、田纳西州和北卡罗来纳州接连宣布脱离联邦。
1861年2月4日，南方11州随后合并为了“美利坚联盟国”，将首都定为蒙哥马利市，与联邦政府分庭抗礼，美国就奴隶制问题纠纷了几十年后，最终分裂。
1861年3月4日，亚伯拉罕·林肯在华盛顿特区就任美国总统，在就职典礼上，林肯承诺不会废除南方奴隶制，希望南部各州及时悔改，切勿酿成大错，但是遭到南方联盟无视。不久后，南方联盟开始在海上截击联邦海军船只，联邦与联盟的矛盾进一步激化。
1861年4月12日，联盟军进攻驻扎于萨姆特堡的联邦军，美国南北战争正式爆发。
African slavery, as it exists in the United States, is a moral, a social, and a political blessing. —— Jefferson Davis
美国的黑人奴隶制，无论从道德、社会还是政治层面来说，都是上帝的恩赐。 —— 杰弗逊·戴维斯
Gentlemen of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, Friends and Fellow-Citizens:
美利坚联盟国的各位先生们，朋友们，同胞们：
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.
大家号召我就任新生的临时政府最高执政官一职，我深知道路艰险，责任重大，我初知分配给自己的使命之时，对自己低下的能力感到忧心忡忡，但是政府中的同僚们指导并帮助我治理国家，他们的智慧让我重拾了信心，也加强了我对人民的美德和爱国的信念。
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.
我希望能尽早建立一个长期政府来取代现在的临时政府，且新政府能够更好地运用道德力量和物质力量应对当下新脱离的各国所面临的利益冲突困境，为此我现在接受大家的任命，正式任职总统，同时我希望敌视联盟国的反对势力不会阻挠我们已经明确宣布的脱离和独立，并且希望我们能在上帝的庇佑下存续下去。我国当前的情况是通过各国历史上都前所未有的方法实现的，我们的独立代表了美国的理念，即政府经由被统治者的同意而成立，且人民有权在政府违背了其成立初衷时改组或废除政府。
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.
我们刚刚退出了联邦条约(译者注：指美利坚合众国宪法)，该条约宣布的目标是“伸张公平正义，维护国内安稳，建立共同防御，发展大众福利，确保我辈及子孙后代永享自由；”但是现在，刚组建的南方联盟各州认为，联邦已经偏离了应该致力的事业，并拒绝再执行该文献制定时的目标，我们号召发动和平投票，宣布当前的联邦政府应该解散。对此，他们只回应称，1776年的《独立宣言》赋予的人权不可剥夺；他们各州行使权利时，只将他们自己的决定作为最终裁决，只为他们自己谋利。人类终会以公正开明的裁决，证明我们的行为是正直的，真正了解人类内心的人会知道我们保护开国元勋们建立的政府和其精神的诚意。早在合众国诞生时，各州的权利就已经明确列举，这些权利后来又在1789年《权利法案》中得到重申，毋庸置疑地授予了人民要求政府重组的权力。所以各州才汇聚于此，组建美利坚联盟国，而北方政府却将我们的行为抹黑成革命。南方各州虽组成了一个新联盟，但是各州政府仍得以保留，各州的人权和财产权也不会受到侵犯。虽然各州与外国的交流出现了改变，但我相信这并不一定就会影响我们的对外关系。
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.
我们从前联邦到现联盟国的转变，并非是因为我们未尽到我们的职责，也不是因为我们没能履行宪法义务，我们此举并非为了一己私利，亦非想要侵犯他人权利，而是因为我们太希望同各国保持和平，维持商贸关系，即使战争不可避免，那么起码我们的子孙后代会理解我们加入战争实属别无选择。尤其是我们明明没有犯任何错误，但是却遭到了北方政府的恶意入侵，我相信，南部联盟的人民为了捍卫我们的荣誉和安全，一定会迸发出十足的勇气和爱国热情。
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.
作为一个农业民族，我们的主要收益来自于向各工业国出口原材料，我们的真正政策是捍卫和平，同时尽可能发展自由贸易。对商品贸易的限制应当减至最少，这既符合我国的利益，也符合那些同我们有进出口贸易的国家的利益。我们与工业和航运业群体，比如北方联邦的东北部各州几乎没有任何冲突。因此，我们要坚持互惠互利，增进各国友谊。但是，如果北方各州被狂热和欲望蒙蔽了双眼，我们也要做好应对紧急情况的防备，且不得已时准备以刀剑来维护我国在世界各国中的地位。我们既然已经打响了独立反抗，就要坚持到底。我们已经和我们的前同胞，即北方各州争论多年，我们努力维持和平并要求他们尊重我们的合法权利，然而一切都是徒劳。我们以脱离联邦的方法捍卫我国权利，并非是我们的选择，而是不得已；此后，我们要将精力放在处理我们南方自己的事务上，保证我们联盟国的存续。只要北方各州能正确认识到我们之间可以互惠互利，我们就能互不侵犯地走上不同的政治道路，我对和平的最真切期盼也可以实现。但是，如果我们的这一请求遭到了北方否定，我们的领土和主权完整受到侵犯，那么我们将坚决以武力回击侵略军，并请求上帝能保佑我国正义的事业。
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.
鉴于我国刚刚建国，为满足我们预期的各类目标，就需要迅速有效地组建行政部门的下属各机构，以专门负责外交、财政、军事和邮政事务。
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.
为达成国防目标，联盟国各州在平时可以动用自己的民兵，但以当前的情况，我强烈建议组织一支训练有素、纪律严明的常备陆军，且军队数量要远超和平时期的标准。同时我还建议，建立一支具有相当实力的海军，以胜任保护我国港口、维护我国公海贸易的任务。请国会务必注意我的紧迫提议。
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.
我们和北方各州对于祖辈们的宪法的争议，仅存在于大家众所周知的奴隶制问题上，但我们在避免内战和追求共同福祉方面有一致目标，所以刚刚脱离联邦，加入我们政府的南方各州仍希望将我们同北方的命运联系到一起，也并非无道理。我国宪法在此方面已经有了相关条规；但除了宪法允许的行为之外，如果我没有误解人民的意愿的话，那么我们和北方各州的再次统一既不可能，也非我们所愿。美国要提升国力，开发资源，促进联邦的整体幸福，南北就必须要视彼此为同胞，联邦整体应当顾及所有地区的幸福。但是如果联邦漠视我们的幸福，就会导致南北对立，这种对立之下，国家分裂是不可避免的结果。
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.
联盟国的建立仅仅是希望维护我们自身的权利，促进我们的福祉，南方联盟各州并没有对其他州做出侵犯，也没有引起内部动乱。我们不会给国内行业设置任何发展限制。目前，我国的农业仍在不断发展，即便我们卷入战争，我们出口的主食产粮也不会锐减，参与世界贸易的各国对我们出口的粮食关注度并不亚于我们自己。我们生产者和外国消费者的共同利益只会被一种外部阻力(译者注:指美国北方联邦)损害，他们会阻止我们的产品向外传播——这种行为对我们来说是不公平的，也有损外国工业和商业利益。如果我们刚脱离的北方联邦政府尚存理性的话，即便他们再想伤害我们，也不该采取这么一种伤害文明世界的方法；如果他们这么做了，后果会十分严重，成百上千万人都会因此受难，他们的苦难会证明北方侵略者的愚蠢和邪恶。与此同时，除了我刚才提到的方法之外，我们还坐拥丰富的资源，可以对北方侵略者的商业进行报复。
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.
我曾经拜大家的仁爱，担任过多个低等职务，我从这些经历中学到了，晋升是需要上进心、不断努力和经历挫折的。我会犯下很多错误过失，需要大家的宽容原谅，但我认为，你们绝不会怀疑我对我们的事业缺乏热情，因为这是我最远大的愿望，最长久的感情。我既不追求也不敢贪图总统一职，但你们的慷慨使我荣获这个自己不配担任的岗位。我希望我个人对事业的热爱和大家的智慧与爱国能够指导、支持我履行好自己的职务。
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.
我国虽然成员有所减少，但是并非改变政府制度。我们开国元勋们设立的宪法就是我们美利坚联盟国的宪法，在开国元勋们阐述、完善宪法时，我们能从中宪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，我有义务对宪法的真正寓意做出解释，并铭记所有职务都是人民任命的，官员要认真行使作为人民代表所拥有的权力，虽然我可能会辜负大家的期望，但是我希望我可以通过勤勤恳恳地努力履行职务，在我卸任时仍能像我就任时这样受到人民的爱戴和信任。
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.
值此危难之际，我环顾四周，欣然发现我们民族团结一致心连心，坚定崇高的目标激励着我们全体不断向前——一切荣誉、权利、自由和平等都比不上我们即将做出的流血牺牲。即使困难会阻碍我们的事业，但是它们无法阻止我们高尚民族的正义事业滚滚向前。让我们恭敬地请求祖辈们信仰的上帝来指导并捍卫我们的事业，让我们的原则得以存续，在上帝的庇佑之下，我们终会证明自己的正义，并重建我们的繁荣生活，将其传递给子孙后代，我们感激上帝的持续厚爱，使得我们看到了取得胜利，重建和平，重建繁荣的希望。
声明：本人仅按照原文翻译内容，演讲内容不代表本人观点。此专栏仅供历史和英语交流学习使用，任何读者皆可引用本人的译本。
希望来学习英语的观众明白：我觉得这些专栏的主要精华在于英语原文，而并非我的译本，我的译本很大程度上只是供来学习历史的观众使用的。本人的英语水平一般，翻译得并不会多么精彩，只能在你看不懂时来帮助你了解这些演讲内容最基本的意思，而且翻译时难免会出现差错，切勿直接完全以我的译本为标准。如发现有翻译错误或者歧义内容，欢迎指正。
希望来学习历史的观众明白：任何历史人物都有一定的局限性，随着时代发展，很多观点看法可能已经不再适用今天的世界，西方的观点也不一定适用于我们。通过了解这些演讲，仅可给我们提供一个更全面了解过去和世界的渠道。我们可以从优秀的历史、当代人物身上学到很多，但是请保持独立思考，理性看待演讲内容，切勿全信或将其奉为真理。
