1857年 詹姆斯·布坎南总统 就职演讲
1857年3月4日，詹姆斯·布坎南在华盛顿特区正式就任美国第15任总统。
布坎南出自美国民主党，温和废奴主义者，他出身于农民家庭，18岁法学专业毕业，19岁加入军队参加1812年英美战争，23岁退伍开始从政，他曾在28岁时遇到科尔曼小姐，对其一见钟情，但最终二人的爱情以悲剧结尾，布坎南因此终身未婚，他是目前唯一一位终身未婚的美国总统；1845年出任美国国务卿，积极处理对外事务，1856年赢得美国总统大选。
对内方面，他任内，美国经济和国家建设依旧保持积极发展；然而他上任时，美国南北撕裂已经极其严重，他认为自己作为总统，应当不偏向任何一方，在二者间保持中立，他表明了自己的废奴主义立场，但是认为奴隶制符合法律，不应当加以干涉，整个任期内，他对南方奴隶主采取妥协措施，希望能够以此避免内战，然而他的妥协只换来了双方冲突加剧；皮尔斯总统任期内已有的南北对抗行为仍在继续且愈发严重，堪萨斯的流血冲突依然不断；除了已有的对抗之外，他任期内还发生了一件震惊了全美和全世界的大事，1859年10月16日，北方的激进废奴主义者约翰·布朗率领他的起义部队进入南方，攻打了西弗吉尼亚州的哈珀斯费里镇，逮捕了当地的奴隶主，解放了他们的黑奴，此事立刻引发全美轰动，布坎南政府立刻下令镇压此次起义，以防止此事激怒南方奴隶主，10月18日，罗伯特·李率领军队击溃起义军，约翰·布朗被捕，12月2日，约翰·布朗被处决，南方奴隶主对约翰·布朗的行为恨之入骨，而北方和世界废奴主义者均给予了其高度评价，但是北方废奴主义者的公然袭击惹怒了南方奴隶主势力，而约翰·布朗的死也激怒了北方废奴主义者，双方表现出剑拔弩张的态势，许多人认为，约翰·布朗给了脆弱不堪的局面最后一击；布坎南总统曾许诺只担任一届总统，因此没有参与1860年大选，1860年大选各方对抗异常激烈，其中共和党候选人林肯以其出色的口才和废奴主义立场得到了大量支持，面对这种情况，南方各州几度威胁要退出联邦，但布坎南总统无力调和南北矛盾，1860年11月，共和党的废奴主义者林肯赢得了总统大选，南方奴隶主彻底坐不住了，美国人最担心的事情还是发生了；12月20日，南卡罗莱纳州宣布退出联邦，成为了第一个退出美利坚合众国的州，布坎南在童年的国情咨文中批评了南卡罗莱纳州脱离联邦的行为，但是他随后又表示联邦无权对此行为做出干涉，引得在场议员嘘声一片，布坎南政府威信尽失，国会也对他颇为不满，剩余的3个月任期内，密西西比州、佛罗里达州、亚拉巴马州、佐治亚州、路易斯安纳州和得克萨斯州，又有共计6个州相继脱离联邦，1861年2月4日，南方各州在美国南部成立“美利坚联盟国”，正式和联邦政府分庭抗礼，在唾弃和危机之下，布坎南总统结束了自己充满危机的任期。他因而成为了目前唯一一位任期内丢失了领土的总统(仅对比上任时和卸任时)，也是美国南北战争之前的最后一任美国总统，美国最终滑入了内战，以最血腥暴力的手段解决这个自美国建国以来一直争议不休的问题。
对外方面，由于美国这此时期国内撕裂过于严重，布坎南总统几乎全心处理国内事务，因此对外并无重大行动，对于我们来说，仅有的值得一提的是，他从英法联军入侵中国的战争中得利，于1858年同清政府签订了《天津条约》和《通商章程善后条约》，进一步从中国攫取了部分利益。
1861年3月4日，布坎南卸任总统一职，他在卸职时留下了“联邦已经走入末路”一句话，此后退出政坛。
他的晚年时，许多美国人将美国南北战争的爆发归咎于他，对他的指责和叫骂声不断，导致他心情十分抑郁。
1868年6月1日，詹姆斯·布坎南因感冒引起的呼吸困难逝世，享年77岁。
Whatever the result may be, I shall carry to my grave the consciousness that I at least meant well for my country. —— James Buchanan
无论结果如何，我至死都会遵循我的良心，起码我对祖国的本意是好的。 —— 詹姆斯·布坎南
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，我在大家面前庄严宣誓“我会尽心履行美利坚合众国总统的职务，并竭尽所能维护、支持并捍卫美国宪法”。
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. 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. 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.
在任职之际，我必须谦卑地向祖辈们信仰的上帝祈祷，祈求他赐予我们智慧和坚强，让我们能够胜任我们的崇高职务，以重塑各州人民之间的长久友谊，使大家和睦相处，保佑我们的自由制度能够传递千秋万代。我相信，我能胜选完全是归功于大家对宪法和联邦的热爱，二者共同激励这每一个美国人的心灵，我真心地请求人民能够给予我大力支持，采取一切正当措施，一同维护并延续联邦和宪法，这是上帝赐予我国最宝贵的政治福祉。我已决心不谋求连任，我前来管理政府只有一个动机，那就是怀着对同胞们的感激之情，忠心地服务我的祖国。
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.
我们近期刚结束了一场总统大选，本次大选中，各种重要深远的问题激起了同胞们的极大热情；但是，当人民的选择最终敲定时，一切风暴般的争议都停止了。
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.
多数人通过宪法规定的方式发声，我们听到了他们的声音，并遵从他们的意愿。只有美国才能展现出如此令人瞠目结舌，举世瞩目的自治能力。
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."
那么，国会同样运用了“少数服从多数”这条简单的原则，让国内各领地人民自行决定奴隶制的存废问题，此事岂不美哉。如此一来，国会既没有“立法要求各领地或各州实行奴隶制，也没有立法禁止奴隶制，而是完全将这一问题自由交给当地机构自行处理，仅需他们遵守美国宪法即可”。
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." 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.
自然而然，国会还允许堪萨斯领地在未来作为一个州，“加入联邦，至于是否施行奴隶制，以该领地加入联邦时的宪法为准”。但至于何时加入联邦，堪萨斯领地的居民在自己决定时出现了分歧。
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. 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. 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. 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.
不过好消息是，这一问题并未造成严重的实际后果。这是一个司法问题，按照法律规定应当由美国最高法院负责，当前已在最高法院审理，而且据悉，该问题很快就能得到彻底解决。我会和所有优秀公民一样，无论最高法院的最终决定是什么，我都欣然接受，即使我个人认为，根据《内布拉斯加-堪萨斯法案》，应当待该领地居民数量达到宪法规定，可以作为一个州并入联邦时再做定夺最为妥当。但尽管如此，美国政府当下不可推脱的职责乃是确保每一位领地居民都可以通过投票独立自由地表达自己的见解。必须确保这一神圣权利不受到侵犯。此举完成之际，没有什么事情比让该领地居民完全不受外界干扰，在遵守美国宪法的前提下，自己决定自身命运更美好的事情了。
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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，整个堪萨斯领土问题都应该在人民主权的原则上解决——该原则和我们的自由政府一样悠久——如此，一切实际问题都将迎刃而解。其他问题就无需调整了，因为所有人都同意宪法的规定，即除了各蓄奴州自身之外，没有任何人有权干涉他们的奴隶制。难道我们大家不希望由此问题引起的动荡尽快结束，我们国父一直担忧的各地各党派的分裂因素尽快消失吗？公众的注意力能从此转移到其他更紧迫更实际的问题上时，整个国家都会感到大幸。这场动荡在20多年来几乎没有任何间歇，也没有对任何人产生过利处，且一直都是奴隶主、奴隶和整个国家的诸多不幸之源。导致姊妹州的人民们彼此疏远，甚至严重威胁到了联邦的存续。目前这场危机仍未完全平息。但只要人民保持理智和清醒判断，就能凭借我们的制度弥补一切纯粹政治弊端。时间会修正一切。几年前让民众们义愤填膺的政治问题早已成为过去式，现在几乎已经被大家遗忘。可是国内奴隶制问题比任何纯粹的政治问题都更加重大，毕竟这场动荡继续下去，我国广大同胞们的人身安全都会置于险境。如果这种不幸发生，那么无论多么令人敬仰的政府制度，无论其物质力量有多么强大，都无法弥补国家战乱造成的损失。所以，鉴于近期国会已经无法通过立法平息动荡，请每一个热爱联邦的人竭尽所能维护国内安定。
It is an evil omen of the times that men have under taken 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. 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 conclusiveon this point. We at present enjoy a free trade throughout our extensive and expanding country such as the world has never witnessed. This tradeis 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. 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. 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.
人们开始衡量联邦的物质价值，这是时代不详的征兆。有些人已经开始思索联邦解体会给哪些州和地区带来多少经济例利润和地方优势，又会给哪些州和地区造成伤害。即使从保守狭隘的角度看待这个重要问题，这些猜想依旧是站不住脚的。仅需思考一点即可得出结论。当前，我国广袤的领土上进行着无限制的广泛贸易，此盛景前所未有。我们的贸易经由铁路和运河，跨越滚滚大河和涛涛海洋，将我们联邦的东西南北联系到一起。如果失去了这种贸易，各州之间相互敌视，其地理分界线就会阻止自由贸易发展，我国便繁荣不再，甚至致使全国所有地区都陷入一场大灾难。这些顾虑固然重要，我们仔细思考，如果联邦解体了，那么对于联邦各地——无论是南方还是北方，东方还是西方来说，一切争议都不重要了。我不想描述联邦解体的景象，因为我卑敬地相信仁慈的上帝，上帝用智慧启示了我们的祖辈，赐予了我们人类世界最完美的政府制度和联邦制，我相信在我国用和平的方式把自己在民政和宗教方面立下的榜样传播全世界之前，上帝是不会让我国灭亡。
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.
要维护宪法和联邦，另一个重点就是要防止政府腐败。公共美德是共和国最显要的精神，历史已经证明，一旦这种精神被贪钱敛财的思想取代，即使自由政府可能还会继续存在一段时间，实际上也早已丧失灵魂。
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 expedientsto 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.
我们当前的经济状况空前繁盛。从来没有国家像我国这样因为财政结余过多而苦恼。但这也导致了部分铺张浪费的立法出现。部分立法提出了许多疯狂支出、毫无节制的财政计划，还有一群投机者和假公济私者绞尽脑汁地攫取公共财产。政府官员的清廉遭到了民众猜疑，即使猜疑有对有错。此事本身就会酿成巨大弊端。
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.
为摆脱这种困境，最合理的方式就是将财政结余投入宪法规定的国家主要目标当中。其中包括偿还国债和适当扩充海军，当前我国的商船规模超过全世界任何国家，可是我国的海军力量却即不足以保护商船，也不足以捍卫我国漫长的海岸线。
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 todo as little injury as may have been practicable to our domestic manufactures,especially those necessary for the defense of the country. 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.
毋庸置疑，一个贤明、节俭且高效的政府要坚持从人民得到的收入不超过政府必要支出这一原则。为此，就要对相关关税法进行修订，这一修订已经完成，而且我相信是以尽可能减小对我国工业，尤其是对国防工业危害最小的方式完成的。为照顾某一企业、个体的利益而损害其他行业，这种做法对社会其他人来说是不公平的，也不符合我们的精神，我们应当在调整关税收入时谨遵公平公正精神。
But the squandering of the public money sinks into comparative insignificanceas a temptation to corruption when compared with the squandering of the public lands.
但是跟挥霍公共土地比起来，挥霍财富导致的腐败简直不值一提。
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 isour cardinal policy to reserve these lands, as much as may be, for actual settlers, and this at moderate prices. 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. 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.
在历史长河中，从没有哪国像我国这样，坐拥祖辈留下广袤土地，如此壮观丰富的遗产。在处理这些土地时，虽然外授部分土地以推动剩余土地的开发不失为一种明智之举，但不应忘记，我们的基本政策是要把这些土地以适当的价格提供给真正需要的定居者。因此，我们不仅要把正直勤劳的公民送入这些州和领地，使得当地居民坚强且独立，还要保障这些土地永远成为他们子孙，还有他们子孙的子孙的家园，同时也欢迎来自海外的离乡者来到此处定居，他们可以在美国改善自己的生活状况，享受人身自由和信仰自由带来的幸福。移民群体为我们国家的发展做出了巨大贡献。无论是和平时期还是战争时期，他们都证明了自己对美国的忠诚。在他们正式成为美国公民后，根据宪法和其他法律规定，他们和美国本土出生的公民完全享有平等的权利，因此他们应当得到大家的善意认可。
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. 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. 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.
联邦宪法是各州授予国会部分权力的体现，此授权应该严格从书面意思解释还是由人更加自由地解释，从一开始就多多少少引起了各党派的分歧。我无意加入这场争论，只想在本届政府开始之际公开声明，根据我的个人经验和长期观察，我认为严格遵从其字面上授予政府的权力，才是唯一安全，且宪法想要表达的唯一正确释义。在我国历史上，每次国会想要行使宪法中含糊不清的权力时，都会引发不愉快的糟糕后果。如果不是今天时机不适的话，我可以举出很多例子。政府部门也无需曲解宪法的语言，因为无论是在和平时期还是战争时期，宪法都已经将一个成功政府所需的所有权力都直接明确或通过朴素表达授予了我们政府。
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 ofany State or Territory of the Union against foreign invasion. 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." 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." Now, how is it possibleto 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? 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 Congressto 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. Besides,the Government, ever since its origin, has been in the constant practice of constructing military roads. 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 powerof the States on this side of the Rocky Mountains can reach them in sufficient time to "protect" them "against invasion." 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.
我坚信宪法赋予政府的权力是足够的，当有必要保护联邦各州和各领地不受外国侵略时，掌握宣战权力的国会同样有权拨款用以修建军用道路。根据宪法规定，国会拥有“宣布战争”，“组建并维护陆军”，“招募并维护海军”和“召集民兵”以挫败敌人入侵的权力。现在，如果没有一条横穿美国领土的军用道路能够迅速将东海岸的兵力和军用物资投送到西海岸，那么当加利福尼亚州和太平洋领地遭到入侵时，我们该如何击退侵略者呢？如果在一场战争中，对方的海军力量比我们强大得多，敌国海军封锁了中美地峡，我国就没有其他能够进入西海岸的路线。宪法明确规定了国会必须捍卫每一个州，与此同时，宪法中的任何条文都不可能否定我们捍卫各州的唯一的可能手段。而且，自联邦政府成立以来，就一直在修建军用道路。请大家理智思考，如果落基山脉东侧的各州军队明明有能力通过这条唯一路径及时抵达西海岸，以“保护”他们不受侵略，但他们却由于我们无视或拒绝提供保护而受到了伤害，那么西海岸的同胞们还会继续热爱联邦吗？目前，我暂时无法说明政府将以何种明智且节约的方式完成这项伟大而必要的工程。但我相信，一旦我们确定了路程最短，路况最好的路线，道路上许多看起来难以克服的困难，都会随之消失。
It may be proper that on this occasion I should make some brief remarksin 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. We ought to cultivate peace, commerce, and friendship with all nations, and this not merely asthe best means of promoting our own material interests, but in a spirit of Christian benevolence toward our fellow-men, wherever their lot maybe cast. Our diplomacy should be direct and frank, neither seeking to obtain more nor accepting less than is our due. We ought to cherish a sacred regard for the independence of all nations, and never attempt to interfere inthe 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. In short, we ought to do justice in a kindlyspirit to all nations and require justice from them in return.
在该场合，我应当简要谈谈我国作为国际大家庭的一员，所拥有的权利和义务。我们在各国交往时，总结出了大家都认可的原则(译者注：指门罗主义)，我们永远不该偏离这些原则。我们应当和世界各国保持和平，相互通商，增进友谊，此举不仅是增进我国自身利益的最佳手段，同时还发扬了基督教教诲我国同胞的慈爱精神，该精神当由世界各地的同胞一起发扬。我们的外交政策要坚持直接坦率，既不求凌驾于他国之上，也不愿屈居于他国之下。我们要尊重所有国家的独立，绝不尝试干涉任何国家的内政，除非是出于我国自卫需要而被迫干涉。自华盛顿总统以来，我国就一直将不结盟作为外交格言，至今也无人对此方针的智慧提出质疑。简而言之，我们应当公正地对待所有国家，同时也要求他们同样公正地对待我们。
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. 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 consideredat 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. Acting on this principle, no nation will have a right to interfereor 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. Their trade with the rest of the world has rapidly increased, and thus every commercial nation has shared largely in their successful progress.
更令我们感到骄傲的是，其他国家皆以刀剑扩张疆域，而我国扩张的领土却全是平等收购得来，或像德克萨斯那样，由当地勇敢独立且与我们同宗同源的人民自愿决定并入，将自己同我们的命运联系到一起。即便是我们从墨西哥收购的领土也不例外。我们不愿意通过对我们的任何姊妹共和国发动战争以获取利益，因此当时我们以相当合理的价格，用和平条约购买了这些领土。我国的历史不允许我国以不正义、不光荣的手段获得领土，一切扩张都需符合法律。基于此原则，在未来的历史进程中，如果我国进一步开疆扩土，那么其他国家也完全干涉或提出异议。至今，我们收购的所有领土上的人民都在美国星条旗的保护之下，享有人身自由和信仰自由，平等地受到公正法律的保护，心满意足地过着富足幸福的生活。我们人民同其他国家积极开展商贸活动，让全世界每个与我们通商的国家都能从我国的繁荣发展中分一杯羹。
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，我开始执行对宪法的誓言，并谦卑地请求神圣的造物主能够保佑我们伟大的民族。
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。
