书城外语课外英语-美国总统演讲选萃(上)(双语版)
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第15章 尤利塞斯·格兰特第一次就职演讲(1869)(2)

The young men of the country—those who from their age must be its rulers twenty-five years hence—have a peculiar interest in maintaining the national honor.A moments reflection as to what will be our commanding influence among the nations of the earth in their day,if they are only true to themselves,should inspire them with national pride.All divisions—geographical,political,and religious—can join in this common sentiment.How the public debt is to be paid or specie payments resumed is not so important as that a plan should be adopted and acquiesced in.A united determination to do is worth more than divided counsels upon the method of doing.Legislation upon this subject may not be necessary now,or even advisable,but it will be when the civil law is more fully restored in all parts of the country and trade resumes its wonted channels.

美国青年——25年以后他们将成为国家的领导者——特别关心维护国家荣誉。如果说他们只对自己真诚,那么,稍许考虑一下我们对世界各国的重大影响,也应该激起他们的民族自豪感。一切部门——地理的、政治的和宗教的——都能以这种共同的情感团结起来。政府公债如何偿还,硬币如何支付等问题都不及采取和同意一项计划重要,关于行动的统一决心,比关于行动方法的有分歧的意见有价值。也许我们现在没有必要,也不适宜采取立法来完成这一计划。但是,当全国更全面地恢复实施民法,当贸易恢复常规时,就必须采取立法手段了。

It will be my endeavor to execute all laws in good faith,to collect all revenues assessed,and to have them properly accounted for and economically disbursed.I will to the best of my ability appoint to office those only who will carry out this design.

我将真诚地致力于执行所有法律,课征一切应征税款,妥善安排,节省开支,我将尽力选拔称职者担任公职。

In regard to foreign policy,I would deal with nations as equitable law requires individuals to deal with each other,and I would protect the law-abiding citizen,whether of native or foreign birth,wherever his rights are jeopardized or the flag of our country floats.I would respect the rights of all nations,demanding equal respect for our own.If others depart from this rule in their dealings with us,we may be compelled to follow their precedent.

关于外交政策,我将像个人按照公正的法律彼此相处那样地对待各国。守法的公民,不论他出生在本土或国外,只要是在我国国旗飘扬的地方,一旦他的权利受到危害,我就会予以保护。我将尊重各国的权益,并要求别国同样尊重我国的权益,如果他们在与我们的交往中背离了这一原则,我们将被迫援用他们做出的先例。

The proper treatment of the original occupants of this land—the Indians one deserving of careful study.I will favor any course toward them which tends to their civilization and ultimate citizenship.The question of suffrage is one which is likely to agitate the public so long as a portion of the citizens of the nation are excluded from its privileges in any State.It seems to me very desirable that this question should be settled now,and I entertain the hope and express the desire that it may be by the ratification of the fifteenth article of amendment to the Constitution.

如何妥善处置美洲大陆原来的居民——印第安人,需要认真加以研究。我将赞同一切有利于印第安人文化和基本公民权的方针。选举权的问题受到公众的密切注意。在任何一州内,只要有部分公民被剥夺了选举权,就必定会使公众不满。我认为现在这个问题是非解决不可了。我希望并要求这个问题通过宪法第十五条修正案的批准获得解决。

In conclusion I ask patient forbearance one toward another throughout the land,and a determined effort on the part of every citizen to do his share toward cementing a happy union;and I ask the prayers of the nation to Almighty God in behalf of this consummation.

总之,我希望全国人民彼此宽容,决心各尽所能,建立一个幸福的联邦。我请求全国人民为实现这个伟大的目标而向全能的上帝祈祷。

人物小传:美国第18位总统(1869—1876)

姓名:尤利塞斯·辛普森·格兰特

绰号:常胜将军

出生:1822年4月27日,俄亥俄州

卒于:1885年7月23日

所属政党:共和党

格兰特是美国历史上第一位从美国军事院校(西点军校)毕业的军人总统。他在美国南北战争中屡建奇功,有“常胜将军”之称。

格兰特1822年生于俄亥俄州。父亲杰西·鲁特·格兰特经营皮革业,母亲汉娜·辛普森是位农场主的女儿。格兰特的名字是家人用抓阄的方式起的。尤利塞斯是《奥德塞》中大英雄奥德修斯的名字。格兰特身材矮小,其貌不扬,但一生的事业却有声有色,轰轰烈烈。格兰特毕业于西点军校。他在南北战争中发迹。

格兰特与朱莉亚于1848年结婚,生有三子一女。参战时他已42岁,当时为上校,指挥一个团。短短的四年当中,他从上校升为中将,担任联邦军总司令。林肯在1864年3月任命他为最主要的将军。格兰特迫使南方军总司令罗伯特·李向他投降。凭借自己的军威,格兰特于1868年当选总统。1872年连任。尽管格兰特能征惯战,但并不等于善于理政,格兰特的平平政绩与他的赫赫战功成为明显对照。特别是在第二次总统任期内,他对南方奴隶主妥协让步以及对贪污腐化的属员采取姑息纵容态度,引起了选民的普遍不满。尽管他渴望继续当政,但事与愿违,他不得不离开白宫。

格兰特卸职后曾周游世界,并想在政治上东山再起,但未能如愿。有趣的是,落选后,格兰特夫妇仍迟迟不搬出白宫,直到新总统海斯就职了,还得来白宫参加由格兰特夫人一手操办的午宴。更有趣的是,格兰特夫妇觉得无家可归,于是退职后决定四海为家。他们花了三年多的时间,游遍了英格兰、比利时、德国、瑞士、意大利、丹麦、法国、埃及、巴勒斯坦、挪威、俄罗斯、印度、暹罗、中国和日本。

格兰特退休后,成为一家金融公司合伙人,但是经商失败,以破产告终。在那段期间,他获悉自己有喉咙癌症。他开始写回忆录,并且为还清债务,供养家庭,他和死神赛跑,最终回忆录挣到了450,000美元。在完成最后几页不久,格兰特病逝。

Inaugural Address of Benjamin Harrison(1889)

Monday,March 4,1889