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19章 威廉·麦金莱第一次就职演讲(1897)(2)

In the revision of the tariff especial attention should be given to the re-enactment and extension of the reciprocity principle of the law of 1890,under which so great a stimulus was given to our foreign trade in new and advantageous markets for our surplus agricultural and manufactured products.The brief trial given this legislation amply justifies a further experiment and additional discretionary power in the making of commercial treaties,the end in view always to be the opening up of new markets for the products of our country,by granting concessions to the products of other lands that we need and cannot produce ourselves,and which do not involve any loss of labor to our own people,but tend to increase their employment.

在修改关税时,我们应特别注意1890年法案的互惠原则的再制定与扩大,根据这一原则,能大大推动我国剩余农产品和工业品在新的、有利的市场上所进行的对外贸易。对这项立法进行的短暂考验充分证实,在缔结商业协议中作进一步实验并授予处理权是正确的,其目的始终在于为我国产品开辟新市场,对其他国家生产的、我们需要但又不能生产的产品作出让步,这不会给我国人民的劳动带来任何损失,而往往会增加就业机会。

The depression of the past four years has fallen with especial severity upon the great body of toilers of the country,and upon none more than the holders of small farms.Agriculture has languished and labor suffered.The revival of manufacturing will be a relief to both.No portion of our population is more devoted to the institution of free government nor more loyal in their support,while none bears more cheerfully or fully its proper share in the maintenance of the Government or is better entitled to its wise and liberal care and protection.

过去4年的萧条特别严重地落到国内劳苦大众和小农场主的身上。农业已衰退,工人则遭受损失。制造业的复兴可以为两者解难。目前我国人口中没有哪一部分人比制造商们更致力于、更忠实地支持自由政府的制度了,也没有哪一部分人更乐于、更全面地承担自己应该承担的义务来维护政府,或更值得政府明智而慷慨地给予关怀与保护了。

Legislation helpful to producers is beneficial to all.The depressed condition of industry on the farm and in the mine and factory has lessened the ability of the people to meet the demands upon them,and they rightfully expect that not only a system of revenue shall be established that will secure the largest income with the least burden,but that every means will be taken to decrease,rather than increase,our public expenditures.Business conditions are not the most promising.It will take time to restore the prosperity of former years.If we cannot promptly attain it,we can resolutely turn our faces in that direction and aid its return by friendly legislation.However troublesome the situation may appear,Congress will not,I am sure,be found lacking in disposition or ability to relieve it as far as legislation can do so.The restoration of confidence and the revival of business,which men of all parties so much desire,depend more largely upon the prompt,energetic,and intelligent action of Congress than upon any other single agency affecting the situation.

有助于制造商的立法,必然有益于全体人民,农场、矿山和工厂的不景气,削弱了人民满足政府要求的能力,他们有理由期望,不仅应建立一个负担最少而收益最大的税收制度,而且应采取一切措施,削减而不是增加公共开支。商业情况并非最有希望。恢复到从前的繁荣需要一定的时间,即使我们不能迅速达到这一目的,我们也要坚决转到这个方向,并且要采取有利的立法措施。无论形势如何困难,我深信,国会不会缺乏采取立法措施以摆脱困境的意向与能力。各党派人士如此热切期望恢复信任与复兴企业,这主要取决于国会迅速、有力、明智地采取行动,而不是由其他任何一个机构来影响局势。

人物小传:美国第25位总统(1897—1901)

姓名:威廉·麦金莱

绰号:俄亥俄的偶像

出生:1843年1月29日,奈尔斯里,俄亥俄州

卒于:1901年9月14日,布法罗,纽约

所属政党:共和党

威廉·麦金莱是美国第25任总统,生于俄亥俄州,在老威廉·麦金莱和南希·艾利森的八个孩子中排行第七。父亲是铸铁厂老板。在1843年,麦金莱到阿勒格尼学院学习了一段时间,并且在内战爆发时,正在一所国家学校教学。后应征参加联合部队。他研究法律,在俄亥俄州开一个办公室,并且与地方银行家詹姆斯·萨克森的女儿爱达·萨克结婚。

南北战争期间,麦金莱是未来总统海斯上校的副官。1867年任俄亥俄州州长。34岁时,麦金莱在国会中赢得了一个席位。1896年,麦金莱被共和党提名为总统候选人并在竞选中获胜。任总统期间,正值美国垄断资本形成并开始对外大肆扩张时期,他的当务之急是复兴经济。执政后,他采取提高关税和稳定货币的政策,加上其他措施,美国的经济有了很大起色,麦金莱从而获得“繁荣总统”的美名。对外,他发动美西战争。在100天的战争中,美国在古巴圣地亚哥海港外边破坏西班牙舰队,打败了西班牙海军力量。在和谈中,坚持夺取了原本属于西班牙的古巴、波多黎各、菲律宾、关岛;并且吞并了夏威夷。他怂恿列强对中国实行“门户开放”政策,派兵参加了“八国联军”大肆掠夺中国的罪行。

1900年麦金莱连任。在1901年9月,麦金利在出席布法罗泛美博览会时,被一名无政府主义者射伤,不久便去世身亡。麦金莱是美国立国后被刺身亡的第三位总统。

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