美國第七任總統傑克遜第一次就職演講

安德魯·傑克遜是美國第七任總統。首任佛羅里達州州長、新奧爾良之役戰爭英雄、民主黨創建者之一，傑克遜式民主因他而得名。第二次美英戰爭中，他堅韌不拔，肯與士兵共甘苦，被譽爲“老胡桃木”。在新奧爾良戰役中，他率兵大敗英軍，振奮全國，成爲舉國聞名的英雄。他第一次競選總統時失敗，第二次才獲勝，是美國第一位民主黨總統。任內大力加強總統職權，維護聯邦統一，頗有政績，史稱“民主政治”，幾與第三屆總統傑斐遜齊名。

Fellow citizens:

同胞們：

About to undertake the arduous duties that I have been appionted to perform by the chooice of a free people, I avail myself of this customary and solemn occasion to express the gratitude which their confidence inspires solemn occasion to express the gratitude which their confidence inspires and to acknowledge the accountability which my situation enjoins.

即將承擔通過自由民衆的選擇而指定我來執行這艱鉅責任，我藉此慣常而莊嚴的機會來表達自己由他們對我之信心的感激，並確認我所處位置所要求的責任。

While the magnitude of their interests convinces me that no thanks can be adequate to the honor they have conferred, it admonishes me that the best return I can make is the zealous dedication of my humble abilities to their service and their good.

他們愛我之巨大使我深信沒有任何足以感激他們授予我的榮耀，同時我被告戒我所能做的最好回報就是把我那微薄的能力熱情地貢獻於他們，造福他們。

As the instrument of the Federal Constitution it well devolve on me for a stated period to execute the laws of the United States, to superintend their foreign and their confederate relations, to manage their revenue, to command their forces, and, by communications to the Legislature, to watch over and to promote their interests generally.

作爲聯邦憲法執行者，在指定期間裏我被委託來執行美國的法律，來監督其外交和聯盟內的關係，來管理其稅收，來指揮其軍隊，並通過同立法機構的溝通來守衛和促進其總體利益。

And the principles of action by which I shall endeavor to accomplish this circle of duties it is now proper for me briefly to explain.

現在我應該簡短闡明我將努力完成此期責任所依賴的行動原則。

Considering standing armies as dangerous to free governments in time of peace, I shall not seek to enlarge our present establishment, nor disregard that salutary lesson of political experience which teaches that the miliary should be held subordinate to the civil power.

考慮到常備軍在和平時代對一個自由的國家有危險，我將不尋求擴大現有的編制，也不忽略以往政治經驗告訴我們軍隊必須服從於平民政權的有益教訓。

The gradual increase of our Navy, whose flag has displayed in distant climes our skill in navigation and our fame in arms; the preservation of our forts, arsenals, and dockyards, and the introduction of progressive improvements in the discipline, and science of both branches of our military service are so plainly prescribed by prudence that I should be excused for omitting their mention sooner than for enlarging on their importance.

我們海軍的逐漸增強，其旗幟在遙遠的異地展示我們航海技術和武力聲名：保留我們的堡壘，軍庫和海軍工廠，以及在我們軍事機構的兩軍中引進紀律和科學上的積極改良，這些已被審慎明白地指出而我在此可藉口略去提出它們，而非不增大其重要性。

But the bulwark of our defense is the national militia, which in the present state of our intelligence and population must render us invincible.

但是，我們國防的中流砥柱是武裝的全國人民，以我們現在的智慧和人口情況，這一定使我們戰無不勝。

As long as our Government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by their will; as long as it secures to us the rights of person and of property, liberty of conscience and of the press, it will be worth defending; and so long as it is worth defending a patriotic militia will cover it with an impenetrable aegis.

只要我們的政府管理是爲人民的利益，並受到他們意願的調控；只要向我們保證個人和財產的權利，良知和媒體的自由，它就值得被保護；而只要它值得被保護，一個愛國的武裝人民將護之以堅不可摧的盾牌。

Partial injuries and occasional mortifications we may be subjected to, but a million of armed freemen, possessed of the means of war, can never be conquered by a foreign foe.

我們也許會遭到局部的傷害和偶爾的損壞，但是一百萬掌握戰爭手段的武裝自由人永不可能被一個外來敵人所征服。

To any just system, therefore, calculated to strengthen this natural safeguard of the country I shall cheerfully lend all the aid in my power.

對於旨在加強這一國的自然護衛的任何公正體制，我將高興地盡我的權力提供所有幫助。

It will be my sincere and constant desire to observe toward the Indian tribes within our limits a just and liberal policy, and to give that humane and considerate attention to their rights, and their wants which is consistent with the habits of our Government and the feelings of our people.

我真誠和長久地希望對在我們的限制之內的印第安部落奉行一個公正和寬容的政策。並給予他們的權利和需要以人道和細緻的關心。他們的需要是和我們政府的慣例和人民的感情相一致的。

The recent demonstration of public sentiment inscribes on the list of Executive duties, in characters too legible to be overlooked, the task of reform, which will require particularly the correction of those abuses that have brought thepatronage of the Federal Government into conflict with the freedom of elections, and the counteraction of those causes which have disturbed the rightful course of appointment, and have placed or continued power in unfaithful or incompetent hands.

最近的公衆意願顯示在執政者的職責之中，以清晰且不可忽略的字眼加上了改革的任務。此任務特別要求糾正那些給聯邦政府贊助與選舉自由之間帶來矛盾的惡習，以及抵消那些擾亂正當的任命程序和，把權力給予或保留在不忠之力之手中的因素。

In the performance of a task thus generally delineated I shall endeavor to select men whose diligence, and talents will insure in their respective stations able and faithful cooperation, depending for the advancement of the public service more on the integrity and zeal of the public officers than on their numbers.

在執行如此總體確定的任務時，我應該努力選擇那些其勤奮，和天資將保證在各自崗位上的得力和忠誠的合作的人們。爲了改進公衆服務，我們要更多依靠公務員的正直和熱情而非他們的人數。

A diffidence, perhaps too just, in my own qualifications will teach me to look with reverence to the examples of public virtue left by my illustrious predecessors, and with veneration to the lights that flow from the mind that founded and the mind that reformed our system.

一種也許過於正當的，關於我自己的任職資格的信心不足將教我以崇敬之心看齊我顯赫的前任們留下的公共美德的楷模。以尊重之意麪對那源自創立和改革我們體制的思想的光輝。

The same diffidence induces me to hope for instruction and aid from the coordinate branches of the Government, and for the indulgence and support of my fellow_citizens generally.

同樣的信心不足使我期望政府協調部門的指導和輔助，以及同胞們總體的寬容和支持。

And a firm reliance on the goodness of that Power whose providence mercifully protected our national infancy, and has since upheld our liberties in various vicissitudes, encourages me to offer up my ardent supplications that He will continue to make our beloved country the object of His divine care and gracious benediction.

並且堅定地依賴那神聖力量的恩賜，他的眷顧保護過我們國家的幼年時代，並從此在多次興衰中保護我們的自由，這鼓勵我熱情地請求他將繼續把我們可愛的國家作爲他神聖關切及和藹祝福的對象。