1845年 詹姆斯·波尔克总统 就职演讲

1845年3月4日，詹姆斯·波尔克在华盛顿特区正式就任美国第11任总统。

波尔克出身美国民主党，他从小身体状况就欠佳，成年前没有接受过正规教育，但是其学习能力非凡，从开始学习到大学法学专业毕业仅用了5年时间，毕业后开始从政，30岁时成为众议员，安德鲁·杰克逊的坚定支持者，后担任过众议院议长和田纳西州州长，1844年参加美国总统大选，在选举陷入僵持之际，他迎合“昭昭天命”的思想，承诺为美国扩张领土，最终拿下大选。

对内方面，波尔克总统决定改革关税，关税问题曾在杰克逊总统时期险些引起美国内战，波尔克总统一上任就着手降低关税，1846年自由贸易关税出台，美国南北的关税争端基本得到解决；在降低关税后，他又总结了经济危机时期的教训，决定建立独立国库，并将国库分散到各大主要城市，防止集权；同一时期，由于英国治下的爱尔兰爆发了大饥荒，大约100万爱尔兰被饿死，还有约200万爱尔兰人因无法支付地租而被英国人驱逐出家乡，大部分被驱逐的爱尔兰人选择前往美国开始新的生活，因此这一时期美国人口有明显的增长；1848年欧洲爆发了大革命，法国等王权政府大量倒台，英普奥等国家也受到了极大波及，而美国同样受到这场革命影响，国内发生了部分动荡，但并未爆发大规模骚动和革命；他任期内美国国土有重大扩张，1848年新领土的并入不仅进一步将西进运动推向高潮，也再次引起了美国南北方就奴隶制存废问题的争论，自波尔克开始之后的数位总统都试图调解双方冲突，但是均未能成功，冲突不断激化，美国各州的立场基本已经定型，南北双方在之后10年里的冲突由辩论舌战走向法律对抗，又从议员在国会上大打出手到地方军警荷枪实弹的冲突，从北部的极端废奴主义者以武力解放黑奴到南部的极端奴隶制拥护者公开宣布脱离联邦，最终双方将在60年代以一场空前血腥的战争终结双方的矛盾。

对外方面，波尔克总统一上台就开始为兑现自己的拓疆承诺而努力，1845年，波尔克总统宣布美国愿意接纳德克萨斯共和国作为一个州加入美国，此事引起了墨西哥政府的强烈抗议，波尔克总统提出用金钱购买的方式解决两国领土争端，遭到了墨西哥的拒绝，随后美国没有理会墨西哥的进一步异议；1845年7月，奥沙利文在《民主评论》发表《兼并》一文，正式以书面形式提出了“昭昭天命”理论，此文在美国国内和世界政坛都引起轩然大波，美国许多政客公开宣布将美国领土延伸至太平洋海岸是美国人的天命，随后向墨西哥和英国提出强硬要求，且声明会在必要时诉诸武力；1845年12月，德克萨斯共和国正式并入美国，1846年，美国军队进驻德克萨斯，这让墨西哥忍无可忍，1846年4月，墨西哥正式向德克萨斯增兵，试图收复失地，而波尔克总统则宣称“墨西哥入侵了美国领土，在美国的土地上洒满了美国人的鲜血”，要求美国国会对墨西哥宣战，1846年4月24日，美国正式对墨西哥宣战，美墨战争爆发；战争一开始，美军就从多条战线海陆并进朝墨西哥发动攻势，而在第一时间抢占了墨西哥主要港口，阻止欧洲列强的介入，虽然墨西哥军队纸面战斗力并不弱，但是其动荡腐败的政治局势导致墨军实际战斗力羸弱不堪，战争的第一年，美军势如破竹地击溃墨军，占领了大量墨西哥领土，1847年，美军因当地的游击队势力袭扰而出现暂时僵持，但随着美军进一步增兵，墨军难以招架美军攻势，美军于1847年9月份攻占了墨西哥首都墨西哥城，墨西哥政府宣布投降；1848年，美墨经过谈判，最终签署了《瓜达卢佩-希得尔戈》条约，条约规定，墨西哥承认德克萨斯并入美国的既定事实，并将墨西哥北部190万平方公里的土地以1500万美元的价格“出售”给美国，而作为补偿，美国额外免除了墨西哥325万美元的债务，该条约是近代历史上单次割让领土最多的条约之一，此战过后，美国本土48州的版图基本成型；美墨战争的同时，波尔克总统还在积极就西北边界问题同英国进行协商，1846年7月15日，双方签署了《俄勒冈条约》，规定以北纬49度线为边界，北部为英国领土，南部为美国领土，该条约签订后，美国和英国之间不再存在主要的领土争端。

1849年3月4日，波尔克卸任美国总统，这是他的诺言，他承诺只任一届总统，不追求连任，以维护美国的共和体制。有观点认为，他的卸任标志着美国杰克逊时代的结束。

波尔克是个工作狂，他任美国总统期间每天工作时间长达18个小时，加之他原本身体状况就欠佳，这使得他在任期后期身体健康就急转直下。

1849年6月15日，詹姆斯·波尔克死于感冒引起的中风，享年53岁。

We must ever mandate the principle that the people of this continent alone have the right to decide their own destiny. —— James K. Polk

我们必须坚持该原则：只有美洲大陆的人民自己才有权决定什么是自己的天命。 —— 詹姆斯·K·波尔克

Without solicitation on my part, I have been chosen by the free and voluntary suffrages of my countrymen to the most honorable and most responsible office on earth. I am deeply impressed with gratitude for the confidence reposed in me. Honored with this distinguished consideration at an earlier period of life than any of my predecessors, I can not disguise the diffidence with which I am about to enter on the discharge of my official duties.

我从未求取过大家任何事，而同胞们自由自愿地行使选举权，选举我就任世界上最光荣、责任最重大的职位。我对大家的信任感激不尽。我比之前的所有总统任职时都更加年轻，因此在即将开启任期之际，我难以掩饰自己的胆怯。

If the more aged and experienced men who have filled the office of President of the United States even in the infancy of the Republic distrusted their ability to discharge the duties of that exalted station, what ought not to be the apprehensions of one so much younger and less endowed now that our domain extends from ocean to ocean, that our people have so greatly increased in numbers, and at a time when so great diversity of opinion prevails in regard to the principles and policy which should characterize the administration of our Government? Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country's peace and prosperity, and in some degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family.

如果那些更年长、经验更丰富，在共和国初期就任职的各位总统都不对自己的执政能力保有信心，那么现在我国领土从大西洋延伸至太平洋，我国人口增长迅猛，且政府内部在行政原则和措施方面存在巨大分歧，我这么一位年轻且毫无天赋的总统，怎么可能不感到忧心忡忡呢？面临事关我们国家和平繁荣，乃至全人类大家族希望幸福的重任，即使是最勇敢最聪慧的人也有些战栗。

In assuming responsibilities so vast I fervently invoke the aid of that Almighty Ruler of the Universe in whose hands are the destinies of nations and of men to guard this Heaven-favored land against the mischiefs which without His guidance might arise from an unwise public policy. With a firm reliance upon the wisdom of Omnipotence to sustain and direct me in the path of duty which I am appointed to pursue, I stand in the presence of this assembled multitude of my countrymen to take upon myself the solemn obligation to the best of my ability to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

担此重任之际，我虔诚地祈求全能的万物统治者庇佑，上帝掌握着所有国家和全人类的命运，我祈求他继续保护这一篇受上天眷顾的土地，保护这片土地不受愚蠢的国家政策危害。我坚信，是全能者的智慧支撑并引导我走上总统之路，使我站在汇聚于此的同胞们面前，我会竭尽所能地承担支持、维护并捍卫美国宪法的庄严义务。

A concise enumeration of the principles which will guide me in the administrative policy of the Government is not only in accordance with the examples set me by all my predecessors, but is eminently befitting the occasion.

在此适当场合，也为遵从所有前总统立下的榜样，我会简要列举本届政府治国安邦所遵循的指导原则。

The Constitution itself, plainly written as it is, the safeguard of our federative compact, the offspring of concession and compromise, binding together in the bonds of peace and union this great and increasing family of free and independent States, will be the chart by which I shall be directed.

宪法本身写得十分清楚，宪法是我们联邦契约的保障，是让步和妥协的产物，它将自由独立的各州和谐地联合到一起，组成了美国这个伟大且不断发展的政治大家族，因此宪法乃是我的指导宪章。

It will be my first care to administer the Government in the true spirit of that instrument, and to assume no powers not expressly granted or clearly implied in its terms. The Government of the United States is one of delegated and limited powers, and it is by a strict adherence to the clearly granted powers and by abstaining from the exercise of doubtful or unauthorized implied powers that we have the only sure guaranty against the recurrence of those unfortunate collisions between the Federal and State authorities which have occasionally so much disturbed the harmony of our system and even threatened the perpetuity of our glorious Union.

以宪法的真正精神治理国家是我的首要宗旨，我绝不使用宪法未明确授予或未明确指明的权力。美国政府的权力是人民下放且有限的，政府要谨遵且仅能行使被授予的权力，杜绝使用含糊不定或未经授权的权力，这才是我们防止联邦和各州再发生可悲冲突的唯一坚实保障，否则就会严重扰乱我们和谐的制度，甚至危及我们伟大联邦的存续问题。

To the States, respectively, or to the people have been reserved the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor prohibited by it to the States. Each State is a complete sovereignty within the sphere of its reserved powers. The Government of the Union, acting within the sphere of its delegated authority, is also a complete sovereignty. While the General Government should abstain from the exercise of authority not clearly delegated to it, the States should be equally careful that in the maintenance of their rights they do not overstep the limits of powers reserved to them. One of the most distinguished of my predecessors attached deserved importance to the support of the State governments in all their rights, as the most competent administration for our domestic concerns and the surest bulwark against antirepublican tendencies, and to the preservation of the General Government in its whole constitutional vigor, as the sheet anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad.

宪法未授予联邦也未禁止的权力，由各州和人民保留。 各州在其权限管理范围内都拥有完全的独立自主权。在被授权的领域事务中，整个联邦政府也完全独立自主。联邦政府要尽可能避免使用未被授予的权力，而各州同样应当注意在行使自己权力时不要逾越权限范围。在我之前，有一位杰出的总统曾全力支持各州政府的一切权利，因为州政府可谓我们处理国内问题时最称职的机构，还是对抗联邦政府独裁势力最坚固的堡垒，能使整个联邦政府内洋溢着宪法活力，同样是我们国内和平、国外安全的基石。

To the Government of the United States has been intrusted the exclusive management of our foreign affairs. Beyond that it wields a few general enumerated powers. It does not force reform on the States. It leaves individuals, over whom it casts its protecting influence, entirely free to improve their own condition by the legitimate exercise of all their mental and physical powers. It is a common protector of each and all the States; of every man who lives upon our soil, whether of native or foreign birth; of every religious sect, in their worship of the Almighty according to the dictates of their own conscience; of every shade of opinion, and the most free inquiry; of every art, trade, and occupation consistent with the laws of the States. And we rejoice in the general happiness, prosperity, and advancement of our country, which have been the offspring of freedom, and not of power.

宪法授权美国政府全权处理外交事务。除此之外，宪法还大体列举了其他权力。联邦不得强制各州进行改革。对于个体，在合法的前提下，联邦允许并保护所有人用自己的智力和体力改善自己生活状况的权利。联邦为所有州提供共同保护；联邦是我们土地上每个人的保护者；无论是美国本土公民还是外来移民；联邦保护所有宗教派别根据自己的想法信仰全能者的权利；联邦保护一切言论自由和探求真理的自由；保护所有合法的艺术创作、贸易活动和工作职业。我们为全体幸福，国家欣欣向荣的局面感到欣慰，促成这一局面的是自由，而不是权威。

This most admirable and wisest system of well-regulated self- government among men ever devised by human minds has been tested by its successful operation for more than half a century, and if preserved from the usurpations of the Federal Government on the one hand and the exercise by the States of powers not reserved to them on the other, will, I fervently hope and believe, endure for ages to come and dispense the blessings of civil and religious liberty to distant generations. To effect objects so dear to every patriot I shall devote myself with anxious solicitude. It will be my desire to guard against that most fruitful source of danger to the harmonious action of our system which consists in substituting the mere discretion and caprice of the Executive or of majorities in the legislative department of the Government for powers which have been withheld from the Federal Government by the Constitution. By the theory of our Government majorities rule, but this right is not an arbitrary or unlimited one. It is a right to be exercised in subordination to the Constitution and in conformity to it. One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights. Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.

我国的自治制度是人类头脑所开创的最优越、最令人钦佩的制度，我们制度在过去半个世纪取得的巨大成功已经证明了我的说法，我完全相信，只要联邦政府不被推翻，且各州不使用未授予它们的权力，那么我们的制度就能经久不衰，继续将人身自由和宗教自由的幸福传递给我们的子孙后代。为实现这个所有爱国者都重视的目标，我会全身心投入工作。如果行政部门或立法部门的多数人都反复无常，随意通过法案替代宪法赋予联邦政府的权力，那么势必会将我国置于危险的境地，而防止这种情况的发生正是我的用意所在。 我国的政治理论是少数人服从多数人，但是这一权利也不是毫无限制，肆意使用的。此权利要在符合宪法的前提下才可以行使。宪法设立的一个重要用意，就是防止多数人群体压迫少数人群体，侵犯少数人群体的正当权利。少数人群体有权将宪法当做抵御压迫的护盾。

That the blessings of liberty which our Constitution secures may be enjoyed alike by minorities and majorities, the Executive has been wisely invested with a qualified veto upon the acts of the Legislature. It is a negative power, and is conservative in its character. It arrests for the time hasty, inconsiderate, or unConstitutional legislation, invites reconsideration, and transfers questions at issue between the legislative and executive departments to the tribunal of the people. Like all other powers, it is subject to be abused. When judiciously and properly exercised, the Constitution itself may be saved from infraction and the rights of all preserved and protected.

无论是多数人群体还是少数人群体，都有权享有我国宪法所保障的自由，因此总统有权对国会的法案进行有条件的否决。这种否决权，本质上是防御性的。这一权力可以暂时中止过于草率、考虑不周和违反宪法的法案，要求对法案进行重新审议，并可以将立法部门和行政部门之间争执不下的问题交由人民做裁决。否决权也和其他权力一样，可能被滥用。但是只要适当谨慎行使这一权力，就可以防止宪法受到侵犯，保护全体民众的权利。

The inestimable value of our Federal Union is felt and acknowledged by all. By this system of united and confederated States our people are permitted collectively and individually to seek their own happiness in their own way, and the consequences have been most auspicious. Since the Union was formed the number of the States has increased from thirteen to twenty-eight; two of these have taken their position as members of the Confederacy within the last week. Our population has increased from three to twenty millions. New communities and States are seeking protection under its aegis, and multitudes from the Old World are flocking to our shores to participate in its blessings. Beneath its benign sway peace and prosperity prevail. Freed from the burdens and miseries of war, our trade and intercourse have extended throughout the world. Mind, no longer tasked in devising means to accomplish or resist schemes of ambition, usurpation, or conquest, is devoting itself to man's true interests in developing his faculties and powers and the capacity of nature to minister to his enjoyments. Genius is free to announce its inventions and discoveries, and the hand is free to accomplish whatever the head conceives not incompatible with the rights of a fellow-being. All distinctions of birth or of rank have been abolished. All citizens, whether native or adopted, are placed upon terms of precise equality. All are entitled to equal rights and equal protection. No union exists between church and state, and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds.

所有人都感受到了，并承认我们的联邦有着无可估量的价值。因这一联邦制度，我国人民可以通过集体或个人以自己的方式追求幸福，其结果喜人。自联邦建立以来，联邦州的数量已经从13个增加到了28个；其中有2个州在上周刚刚加入联邦。我国人口从300万增加到2000万。新成立的团体和国家都来寻求我们联邦的庇护，旧世界的许多人踏上我国海岸，分享联邦福祉。在联邦制的出色运作下，我国处于太平盛世。现在没有了战争的负担和苦难，我国的贸易和外交得以拓展至全世界。人类的思想不再专注于实现或对抗野心，不再专注于篡取权力或征服他国，而是专注于发展人类的真正利益，开发人类自身的能力，并利用自然的力量实现造福自己。在不违反人类权利的前提下，天才可以毫无顾虑地公布自己的发明发现，人类的双手可以将任何事情变成现实。所有人的出身都不再有等级之分。所有美国公民，无论是土生土长的还是移民加入的，都严格受到平等对待。人人权利平等，享有平等保护。政教之间不再有任何联系，任何教派都享有完全的信仰自由。

These are some of the blessings secured to our happy land by our Federal Union. To perpetuate them it is our sacred duty to preserve it. Who shall assign limits to the achievements of free minds and free hands under the protection of this glorious Union? No treason to mankind since the organization of society would be equal in atrocity to that of him who would lift his hand to destroy it. He would overthrow the noblest structure of human wisdom, which protects himself and his fellow-man. He would stop the progress of free government and involve his country either in anarchy or despotism. He would extinguish the fire of liberty, which warms and animates the hearts of happy millions and invites all the nations of the earth to imitate our example. If he say that error and wrong are committed in the administration of the Government, let him remember that nothing human can be perfect, and that under no other system of government revealed by Heaven or devised by man has reason been allowed so free and broad a scope to combat error. Has the sword of despots proved to be a safer or surer instrument of reform in government than enlightened reason? Does he expect to find among the ruins of this Union a happier abode for our swarming millions than they now have under it? Every lover of his country must shudder at the thought of the possibility of its dissolution, and will be ready to adopt the patriotic sentiment, Our Federal Union--it must be preserved. To preserve it the compromises which alone enabled our fathers to form a common Constitution for the government and protection of so many States and distinct communities, of such diversified habits, interests, and domestic institutions, must be sacredly and religiously observed. Any attempt to disturb or destroy these compromises, being terms of the compact of union, can lead to none other than the most ruinous and disastrous consequences.

这一切都是联邦制为我国带来的福祉。捍卫联邦是我们的神圣使命。在我们伟大联邦的保护下，谁人胆敢限制自由思想和自由的双手继续创造成就？自人类进入有组织的社会以来，任何叛国行径都没有推翻我们联邦的行为更加恶劣残酷。这是在推翻保护他们自己同胞的、人类有史以来最优越的政治体制。这是在阻止自由政府的发展，使得我国陷入无政府状态或走向专制主义。我们的自由之火温暖并激励着成百上千万的人民，并希望全世界国家效仿我们立下的榜样，而这种行为是在试图熄灭我们的自由之火。如果这些人声称我们政府执政过程中犯下了错误，那么请记住，人类是不可能做到尽善尽美的，但是相较于其他国家的制度，无论他们的制度是人类设计的还是上帝赐予的，都没能做到我们的制度这般，允许理性全方面不受限制地对抗谬误。难道改革时，暴君的利刃比智慧理性更安全可靠吗？难道这些人觉得他们可以在联邦的废墟中为上千万人找到更幸福的住所吗？每一个热爱祖国的人，一想到联邦解体就会不寒而栗，然后爱国热情迸发，我们的联邦——必须存续下去。为确保这一点，我们的祖先用妥协将各州、各差异明显的群体团结到一起，保护各方的不同习性、利益和内部制度，制定出了我们的共同宪法，我们必须严格神圣地遵从妥协。任何试图扰乱或破坏这些构成了我们联邦的妥协的行为，都会招致灾难性的严重后果。

It is a source of deep regret that in some sections of our country misguided persons have occasionally indulged in schemes and agitations whose object is the destruction of domestic institutions existing in other sections--institutions which existed at the adoption of the Constitution and were recognized and protected by it. All must see that if it were possible for them to be successful in attaining their object the dissolution of the Union and the consequent destruction of our happy form of government must speedily follow.

遗憾的是，我国的部分地区有人误入歧途，痴心于策划阴谋和煽动群众，以达成摧毁其他地区现存制度的目标——这些制度在宪法颁布时就已经存在，且受到宪法的认可和保护。所有人都要认识到，如果这些阴谋者成功达成了他们的目标，很快我们的联邦就会解体，保障我们幸福的政府制度也将不复存在。

I am happy to believe that at every period of our existence as a nation there has existed, and continues to exist, among the great mass of our people a devotion to the Union of the States which will shield and protect it against the moral treason of any who would seriously contemplate its destruction. To secure a continuance of that devotion the compromises of the Constitution must not only be preserved, but sectional jealousies and heartburnings must be discountenanced, and all should remember that they are members of the same political family, having a common destiny. To increase the attachment of our people to the Union, our laws should be just. Any policy which shall tend to favor monopolies or the peculiar interests of sections or classes must operate to the prejudice of the interest of their fellow- citizens, and should be avoided. If the compromises of the Constitution be preserved, if sectional jealousies and heartburnings be discountenanced, if our laws be just and the Government be practically administered strictly within the limits of power prescribed to it, we may discard all apprehensions for the safety of the Union.

但我乐于相信，我国建国以来的所有时期，广大人民群众对各州合众而成的联邦都保持着忠心，支持保护着合众联邦，抗击那些企图毁灭联邦的叛国行径。为保证大家继续对联邦保持忠心，不仅要保留宪法中的妥协事项，还要消除各地之间的敌视偏见，所有人都要记住，我们是同一个政治大家庭的一份子，我们的命运紧密相连。为增加人民对联邦的认可，必须做到立法公正。出台的政策如果有助于组织垄断，或特别为某地区某阶级谋取私利，都必定会招致公民们的不满，因此应予以阻止。只要我们宪法的妥协事项得以保留，只要各地区之间消除敌视和偏见，只要我们立法公正，政府各部门各司其职不逾矩，那么我们便可对联邦的安全无所顾忌。

With these views of the nature, character, and objects of the Government and the value of the Union, I shall steadily oppose the creation of those institutions and systems which in their nature tend to pervert it from its legitimate purposes and make it the instrument of sections, classes, and individuals. We need no national banks or other extraneous institutions planted around the Government to control or strengthen it in opposition to the will of its authors. Experience has taught us how unnecessary they are as auxiliaries of the public authorities--how impotent for good and how powerful for mischief.

基于上述我对政府和联邦本质、特性和目标的看法，我坚决反对建立偏离联邦本意的非法制度机构，因为这些非法制度机构最终会成为某些地区和某阶级谋取私利的手段。我们不需要在政府驻地建立国家银行或其他机构，这种加强政府权力的行为违背了制宪者的初衷。历史经验已经向我们证明，这种便利政府的做法带来的好处多么微不足道，而带来的坏处又是多么难以估量。

Ours was intended to be a plain and frugal government, and I shall regard it to be my duty to recommend to Congress and, as far as the Executive is concerned, to enforce by all the means within my power the strictest economy in the expenditure of the public money which may be compatible with the public interests.

我们应当建成一个朴素节俭的政府，我认为我应当向国会提案，作为总统，我会使用限权内的一切方法尽可能节俭资金，以维护公众利益。

A national debt has become almost an institution of European monarchies. It is viewed in some of them as an essential prop to existing governments. Melancholy is the condition of that people whose government can be sustained only by a system which periodically transfers large amounts from the labor of the many to the coffers of the few. Such a system is incompatible with the ends for which our republican Government was instituted. Under a wise policy the debts contracted in our Revolution and during the War of 1812 have been happily extinguished. By a judicious application of the revenues not required for other necessary purposes, it is not doubted that the debt which has grown out of the circumstances of the last few years may be speedily paid off.

在欧洲的君主制国家，欠债几乎已经成为了他们的固定制度。甚至部分国家认为债务是政府的主要支柱。他们的政府只会定期将广大劳苦群众的财富转移到少数人的金库中，这一制度让人民们感到悲哀。这种制度有违我们共和政府成立的初衷。我们早已通过相关可行政策，偿清了独立战争和1812年战争所欠的债务。我们机智地将其它暂不急用的资金投入到重要项目中，毫无疑问，我们过去几年经济危机中所欠的债务很快就能还清。

I congratulate my fellow-citizens on the entire restoration of the credit of the General Government of the Union and that of many of the States. Happy would it be for the indebted States if they were freed from their liabilities, many of which were incautiously contracted. Although the Government of the Union is neither in a legal nor a moral sense bound for the debts of the States, and it would be a violation of our compact of union to assume them, yet we can not but feel a deep interest in seeing all the States meet their public liabilities and pay off their just debts at the earliest practicable period. That they will do so as soon as it can be done without imposing too heavy burdens on their citizens there is no reason to doubt. The sound moral and honorable feeling of the people of the indebted States can not be questioned, and we are happy to perceive a settled disposition on their part, as their ability returns after a season of unexampled pecuniary embarrassment, to pay off all just demands and to acquiesce in any reasonable measures to accomplish that object.

我们联邦整体和大多数州的信誉都已恢复，我就此祝贺各位同胞。这其中有些债务承担过于鲁莽，大家一定很高兴能摆脱这些债务。虽然无论从法律上还是道义上来说，联邦承担各州的债务有都违反了联邦条约，但我们还是不得不说，我们希望看到各州保持信誉，尽早偿清自己的债务。毋庸置疑，各州会很快还清债款，且不会给自己的公民带来过大负担。背负债务的各州人民无疑拥有高尚道德和极强的荣誉感，我们欣然见证，他们度过了前所未有的经济困局，有能力偿还他们所欠的债务，并采取了合理的措施来达成此目的。

One of the difficulties which we have had to encounter in the practical administration of the Government consists in the adjustment of our revenue laws and the levy of the taxes necessary for the support of Government. In the general proposition that no more money shall be collected than the necessities of an economical administration shall require all parties seem to acquiesce. Nor does there seem to be any material difference of opinion as to the absence of right in the Government to tax one section of country, or one class of citizens, or one occupation, for the mere profit of another. Justice and sound policy forbid the Federal Government to foster one branch of industry to the detriment of another, or to cherish the interests of one portion to the injury of another portion of our common country. I have heretofore declared to my fellow-citizens that in my judgment it is the duty of the Government to extend, as far as it may be practicable to do so, by its revenue laws and all other means within its power, fair and just protection to all of the great interests of the whole Union, embracing agriculture, manufactures, the mechanic arts, commerce, and navigation. I have also declared my opinion to be in favor of a tariff for revenue, and that in adjusting the details of such a tariff I have sanctioned such moderate discriminating duties as would produce the amount of revenue needed and at the same time afford reasonable incidental protection to our home industry, and that I was opposed to a tariff for protection merely, and not for revenue.

我们在政府实践执政时还面临到另一个困难，即调整税收法律和征收维持政府运转所需的收入。通常来说，各党派应该都默认，征收的税金不应超出经济管理所必需的数额。且大家对联邦政府无权向某一地区、阶级或职业征税，以为其他群体谋利的规定似乎也没有本质上的分歧。正义和政策都禁止联邦政府为扶持某一行业而打压另一行业，也禁止为某一地区的利益而牺牲我们共同联邦其他地区的利益。此前，我就向同胞们声称过，我个人认为，政府有义务通过包括税收法案在内的一切合法手段，公平公正地保护整个联邦的一切重大利益，包括农业，制造业，机械技术，商业和航运业。我还声称过，我赞成用关税增加收入，在调整相关关税细节时，我批准了部分适度差别对待的关税，以收取我们所需的收入，同时顺带给我国本土产业提供一些保护，我强调下，我反对单纯为贸易保护而征收关税，但我此举目的是为增加收入。

The power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises was an indispensable one to be conferred on the Federal Government, which without it would possess no means of providing for its own support. In executing this power by levying a tariff of duties for the support of Government, the raising of revenue should be the object and protection the incident. To reverse this principle and make protection the object and revenue the incident would be to inflict manifest injustice upon all other than the protected interests. In levying duties for revenue it is doubtless proper to make such discriminations within the revenue principle as will afford incidental protection to our home interests. Within the revenue limit there is a discretion to discriminate; beyond that limit the rightful exercise of the power is not conceded. The incidental protection afforded to our home interests by discriminations within the revenue range it is believed will be ample. In making discriminations all our home interests should as far as practicable be equally protected. The largest portion of our people are agriculturists. Others are employed in manufactures, commerce, navigation, and the mechanic arts. They are all engaged in their respective pursuits and their joint labors constitute the national or home industry. To tax one branch of this home industry for the benefit of another would be unjust. No one of these interests can rightfully claim an advantage over the others, or to be enriched by impoverishing the others. All are equally entitled to the fostering care and protection of the Government. In exercising a sound discretion in levying discriminating duties within the limit prescribed, care should be taken that it be done in a manner not to benefit the wealthy few at the expense of the toiling millions by taxing lowest the luxuries of life, or articles of superior quality and high price, which can only be consumed by the wealthy, and highest the necessaries of life, or articles of coarse quality and low price, which the poor and great mass of our people must consume. The burdens of government should as far as practicable be distributed justly and equally among all classes of our population. These general views, long entertained on this subject, I have deemed it proper to reiterate. It is a subject upon which conflicting interests of sections and occupations are supposed to exist, and a spirit of mutual concession and compromise in adjusting its details should be cherished by every part of our widespread country as the only means of preserving harmony and a cheerful acquiescence of all in the operation of our revenue laws. Our patriotic citizens in every part of the Union will readily submit to the payment of such taxes as shall be needed for the support of their Government, whether in peace or in war, if they are so levied as to distribute the burdens as equally as possible among them.

制定并征收税金、关税、进口税和消费税是宪法赋予联邦政府的一项不可剥夺的权力，如果失去这一权力，联邦便无法自力更生。在联邦政府行使征收关税的权力时，应当以增加收入为主要目的，而贸易保护仅为附产品。如果这一原则被改变，我们以贸易保护为主要目的，而增加收入成了附产品，那就很明显造成其他未受到保护的产业受到不公正对待。以增加收入为目的的征收关税无疑是可取的，该原则下的区别对待可以为我国国内利益带来附加保护。在增加收入的前提下，可以自行区别征收关税；超出这一前提的行动将构成违法。而且我相信仅以增加收入为目的的区别征收关税，其所产生的附加保护效果对我国来说也已绰绰有余。区别征收关税时也要尽可能确保同等照顾国内各产业的利益。我国大部分人民从事农业，其他人则从事工业、商业、航海和机械技术。他们在各自的行业各司其职，我国的工业实力是他们共同的劳动成果。因此仅对国内某一行业征税，而不对其他行业征税显然不公平。任何产业都不该占其他产业的便宜，也不能将自己的富裕建立在其他产业的贫穷上。政府应同等照顾保护所有产业。在上述前提下，自主行使差别征收关税时，要注意不能对只有少数富人才能享用的高质量高价格奢侈品征收最低税，却对广大贫苦群众所必需的粗糙廉价产品征收最高税，这种行为本质是牺牲广大辛劳人民以维护少数富人的利益。政府对社会各阶层所负的义务要尽可能平等。我认为应当重申我长久以来对此问题的大体看法。该问题涉及部分地区和部分职业存在利益冲突，我们辽阔国家的任何地区在谈及该问题细节时都应当充分发挥相互妥协，相互让步的精神，只有这样才能使我国保持和睦，也只有如此才能使得大家显然接受我们的税收法案，使其投入实践。无论是在战争时期还是和平时期，联邦各地的爱国公民都愿意缴纳联邦政府所需的税收，但是我们也要尽可能平等地对他们所有人负责。

The Republic of Texas has made known her desire to come into our Union, to form a part of our Confederacy and enjoy with us the blessings of liberty secured and guaranteed by our Constitution. Texas was once a part of our country--was unwisely ceded away to a foreign power--is now independent, and possesses an undoubted right to dispose of a part or the whole of her territory and to merge her sovereignty as a separate and independent state in ours. I congratulate my country that by an act of the late Congress of the United States the assent of this Government has been given to the reunion, and it only remains for the two countries to agree upon the terms to consummate an object so important to both.

德克萨斯共和国已经表明了其愿意加入我们联邦的意愿，她希望成为我们联邦的一员，与我们一同在宪法的保护下享受自由幸福。德克萨斯曾是我们国家的一部分——但却被轻率地割让给了外国——现在她又成为了一个独立国家，她无疑有权决定将其部分甚至全部领土并入我们，并作为一个独立的国家加入我们联邦。我祝贺祖国，因为上届国会已经通过法案，批准本届政府完成两国的统一，现在仅需要敲定合并的相关细节条款，便可完成这一对两国都至关重要的事业。

I regard the question of annexation as belonging exclusively to the United States and Texas. They are independent powers competent to contract, and foreign nations have no right to interfere with them or to take exceptions to their reunion. Foreign powers do not seem to appreciate the true character of our Government. Our Union is a confederation of independent States, whose policy is peace with each other and all the world. To enlarge its limits is to extend the dominions of peace over additional territories and increasing millions. The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government. While the Chief Magistrate and the popular branch of Congress are elected for short terms by the suffrages of those millions who must in their own persons bear all the burdens and miseries of war, our Government can not be otherwise than pacific. Foreign powers should therefore look on the annexation of Texas to the United States not as the conquest of a nation seeking to extend her dominions by arms and violence, but as the peaceful acquisition of a territory once her own, by adding another member to our confederation, with the consent of that member, thereby diminishing the chances of war and opening to them new and ever-increasing markets for their products.

我认为本次合并只涉及美国和德克萨斯。我们两国都是独立国家，有权签订协议，外国无权干涉我们，也无权对我们的合并提出异议。外国列强可能不了解我国政府的本质。我们的联邦是一个由独立国家组成的联合体，我们的政策是同全世界各国保持和平。我国疆域的扩张实质就是将更多领土和上百万人民置于和平之下。世界完全无需担忧我国政府有军事野心。因为我国的最高长官和国会下属民选部门都是由上千万美国公民行使选举权选举产生的，如果爆发战争，我国人民必须亲自承担战争带来的所有重担与困难，所以我国政府自然会热爱和平。因此，外国列强不该将此次合并视为美国使用武力征服了另一个国家，以达到其扩张疆域的目的，而是在征得该国同意后，将其作为我们联邦的新成员纳入我国，以和平的方式收复了我们曾经的故土，并且减少了战争爆发的可能，还为该国的产品开放了一片不断发展的新市场。

To Texas the reunion is important, because the strong protecting arm of our Government would be extended over her, and the vast resources of her fertile soil and genial climate would be speedily developed, while the safety of New Orleans and of our whole southwestern frontier against hostile aggression, as well as the interests of the whole Union, would be promoted by it.

两国合并对德克萨斯意义非凡，因为我们可以将他们置于联邦政府的强大武装力量保护之下，而得益于德克萨斯的丰富资源，千里沃土和温和气候，整个联邦的利益都将迅速发展，而且新奥尔良和我国整个西南边界还可以得到其保护，抵御外部势力入侵。

In the earlier stages of our national existence the opinion prevailed with some that our system of confederated States could not operate successfully over an extended territory, and serious objections have at different times been made to the enlargement of our boundaries. These objections were earnestly urged when we acquired Louisiana. Experience has shown that they were not well founded. The title of numerous Indian tribes to vast tracts of country has been extinguished; new States have been admitted into the Union; new Territories have been created and our jurisdiction and laws extended over them. As our population has expanded, the Union has been cemented and strengthened. AS our boundaries have been enlarged and our agricultural population has been spread over a large surface, our federative system has acquired additional strength and security. It may well be doubted whether it would not be in greater danger of overthrow if our present population were confined to the comparatively narrow limits of the original thirteen States than it is now that they are sparsely settled over a more expanded territory. It is confidently believed that our system may be safely extended to the utmost bounds of our territorial limits, and that as it shall be extended the bonds of our Union, so far from being weakened, will become stronger.

在我国建国初期，许多人认为，我们的联邦制度无法统辖广袤的领土，在各时期，人民都对我国扩张边界的问题提出了许多反对意见。在我们收购路易斯安纳地区时，这些反对声音异常激烈。但是事实证明，什么坏事都没有发生。许多印第安部落对我国大量领土的占有权都被我们收回；新的州加入联邦；新的领地不断创建，我们的控制权和法律也随之延伸到这些土地上。随着我国人口的增加，联邦愈加团结和强大。随着我国边界扩张，我们的农耕人口分布到这一片沃土上，我们联邦的国力和国防得到了进一步加强。这不禁让我们思考，如果我国人口被困限制相对狭小的13州内，而不是现在这样分布在广袤土地上，那么我国政府被推翻的危险会不会更大。人们坚信，我们的联邦制度能够安然无恙地随着我们延伸到我们边界的最远处，而且随着我国边界扩张，我们联邦的纽带不仅不会被削弱，反而会得到加强。

None can fail to see the danger to our safety and future peace if Texas remains an independent state or becomes an ally or dependency of some foreign nation more powerful than herself. Is there one among our citizens who would not prefer perpetual peace with Texas to occasional wars, which so often occur between bordering independent nations? Is there one who would not prefer free intercourse with her to high duties on all our products and manufactures which enter her ports or cross her frontiers? Is there one who would not prefer an unrestricted communication with her citizens to the frontier obstructions which must occur if she remains out of the Union? Whatever is good or evil in the local institutions of Texas will remain her own whether annexed to the United States or not. None of the present States will be responsible for them any more than they are for the local institutions of each other. They have confederated together for certain specified objects. Upon the same principle that they would refuse to form a perpetual union with Texas because of her local institutions our forefathers would have been prevented from forming our present Union. Perceiving no valid objection to the measure and many reasons for its adoption vitally affecting the peace, the safety, and the prosperity of both countries, I shall on the broad principle which formed the basis and produced the adoption of our Constitution, and not in any narrow spirit of sectional policy, endeavor by all Constitutional, honorable, and appropriate means to consummate the expressed will of the people and Government of the United States by the reannexation of Texas to our Union at the earliest practicable period.

如果德克萨斯是一个独立国家，或者成为了另一个大国的盟友甚至附庸国，任何人都无法忽视其对我国未来国防和平构成的巨大威胁。我们公民中难道有人不愿意和德克萨斯建立永久和平，而是希望让其作为一个独立国家时不时和我们爆发边界战争吗？难道有人不愿意和德克萨斯无限制地自由来往，而更希望自己的产品进入他们的港口、跨越他们的边界时交付高额的关税吗？难道有人不愿意和德克萨斯的公民自由往来，而是希望将德克萨斯拒之我们联邦门外，在我们边界上设置重重阻碍吗？无论德克萨斯是否加入我们联邦，其本身机构的利弊都将继续存在。对本州负最大责任的是本州自己的机构，而不是其他其他各州。各州为了一些特定目标而联合到一起。如果有人以德克萨斯的制度机构为借口，拒绝与他们建立永久的联合，那么基于这种原则，我们的祖先也根本无法建立我们现在的联邦。我认为，关于两国合并没有实际有效益的反对声音，而两国合并则可以极大地促进双方和平、国防和繁荣事业，因此我将使用制定并通过宪法的宽泛原则，采用一切合宪的，光明磊落的恰当措施，尽早使得德克萨斯回归联邦，以满足美国人民和美国政府所表达的意愿。

Nor will it become in a less degree my duty to assert and maintain by all Constitutional means the right of the United States to that portion of our territory which lies beyond the Rocky Mountains. Our title to the country of the Oregon is clear and unquestionable, and already are our people preparing to perfect that title by occupying it with their wives and children. But eighty years ago our population was confined on the west by the ridge of the Alleghanies. Within that period--within the lifetime, I might say, of some of my hearers--our people, increasing to many millions, have filled the eastern valley of the Mississippi, adventurously ascended the Missouri to its headsprings, and are already engaged in establishing the blessings of self-government in valleys of which the rivers flow to the Pacific. The world beholds the peaceful triumphs of the industry of our emigrants. To us belongs the duty of protecting them adequately wherever they may be upon our soil. The jurisdiction of our laws and the benefits of our republican institutions should be extended over them in the distant regions which they have selected for their homes. The increasing facilities of intercourse will easily bring the States, of which the formation in that part of our territory can not be long delayed, within the sphere of our federative Union. In the meantime every obligation imposed by treaty or conventional stipulations should be sacredly respected.

我同样有责任使用一切合宪手段以维护美国在落基山脉以西领土的权利。我们对俄勒冈领土的明确宣称也毋庸置疑，我们的公民已经准备好携家带口地占领这片土地，以进一步完善我们的宣称。而仅仅在80年前，我国人民还被限制在阿勒格尼山脉的西边山脊。在这期间——这期间甚至可以说是部分听众的整整一生时间——我们的人口数量增长到上千万，他们涌入密西西比河东部的山谷，勇敢攀登寻找密苏里河的源头，并在穿越山谷，灌入太平洋的河流沿岸建立了自治政府。全世界都见证了我们通过移民手段取得和平胜利。无论这些移民在我们土地的何处，我们都完全有义务保护他们。他们选择前往偏远地区建立家园，同时会将我们的法律管辖范围和共和制的利处带至这些区域。随着交通工具飞速发展，这些不久后就可以建州的地区可以很轻松地加入我们的联邦。同时，条约和约定俗成的义务也要得到尊重。

In the management of our foreign relations it will be my aim to observe a careful respect for the rights of other nations, while our own will be the subject of constant watchfulness. Equal and exact justice should characterize all our intercourse with foreign countries. All alliances having a tendency to jeopard the welfare and honor of our country or sacrifice any one of the national interests will be studiously avoided, and yet no opportunity will be lost to cultivate a favorable understanding with foreign governments by which our navigation and commerce may be extended and the ample products of our fertile soil, as well as the manufactures of our skillful artisans, find a ready market and remunerating prices in foreign countries.

在处理对外事务时，我们的目标是慎重尊重他国权利，但是我们要始终以我国自身为重。我们和外国的交流应当建立在公平公正的前提下。我们会避免同任何有可能威胁我国福祉、荣誉或可能会损害我国国家利益的国家结盟，但是我们也要抓住和外国建立友好理解的机会，这样一来，我们的航运业和商业才能进一步发展，我国沃土上种类繁多的产品和我们技艺精湛的工人所制造的工业品才能在海外市场卖出自己应有的价格。

In taking care that the laws be faithfully executed, a strict performance of duty will be exacted from all public officers. From those officers, especially, who are charged with the collection and disbursement of the public revenue will prompt and rigid accountability be required. Any culpable failure or delay on their part to account for the moneys intrusted to them at the times and in the manner required by law will in every instance terminate the official connection of such defaulting officer with the Government.

要保证法律得到认真贯彻，所有公职人员应当以身作则，严守法规，恪守职务。尤其是负责征收税款和财政支出的官员，应当即刻对他们采用严格的问责制。他们在履行职务时，如若当时以法律形式托付于他们的金款出现任何闪失或延误，他们难辞其咎，政府会立即将相关违法官员开除。

Although in our country the Chief Magistrate must almost of necessity be chosen by a party and stand pledged to its principles and measures, yet in his official action he should not be the President of a part only, but of the whole people of the United States. While he executes the laws with an impartial hand, shrinks from no proper responsibility, and faithfully carries out in the executive department of the Government the principles and policy of those who have chosen him, he should not be unmindful that our fellow-citizens who have differed with him in opinion are entitled to the full and free exercise of their opinions and judgments, and that the rights of all are entitled to respect and regard.

在我国，虽然最高执政官几乎只能出自某一个党派，并且会遵循其所属党派的原则和措施，但是在治国执政的过程中，他不仅是一部分人的总统，而是全体美国人民的总统。总统有义务公正不倚地贯彻法律，总统没有任何理由退缩，且在管理政府行政部门时要认真执行自己选民的原则和政策，总统同样不应忽视，与他意见相左的同胞们也充分有权自由表达自己的观点和意见，所有人的权利都应该得到尊重。

Confidently relying upon the aid and assistance of the coordinate departments of the Government in conducting our public affairs, I enter upon the discharge of the high duties which have been assigned me by the people, again humbly supplicating that Divine Being who has watched over and protected our beloved country from its infancy to the present hour to continue His gracious benedictions upon us, that we may continue to be a prosperous and happy people.

我相信政府各部门会在我处理国家事务时提供帮助，因此我正式就任这一人民赋予我的重要职位，并且我再次祈求从萌芽期到现在，一直以来庇佑我们亲爱祖国的造物主，祈求他继续赐予我们仁慈和保佑，使我们民族永葆繁荣幸福。

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。