总统就职演说:美国38任总统杰拉尔德·福特就职演讲(1)
Mr. Chief Justice, my dear friends, my fellow Americans:
尊敬的大法官，朋友们，同胞们：
The oath that I have taken is the same oath that was taken by George Washington and by every President under the Constitution.
刚才我宣读的誓言就是乔治．华盛顿总统宣读过誓言，也是历届合法就任的总统宣读过的誓言。
But I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances never before experienced by Americans.
我想，我这次就任总统，情况之特殊，是美国人民从不曾经历过的，
This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.
这是我们为之伤心痛苦的历史一刻。
Therefore, I feel it is my first duty to make an unprecedented compact with my countrymen.
所以，我感到当务之急是要和我的国民们做一个史无前例的会面。
Not an inaugural address, not a fireside chat, not a campaign speech just a little straight talk among friends.
不是一次就职演说，不是火炉边的闲谈，不是竞选演讲，只是一次平常的、朋友间开诚布公的谈话。
And I intend it to be the first of many.
这种话是一次，但不是最后一次。
I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers.
我非常清楚，我就任总统不是经由大家投票选举产生的结果，因此我请你们用祈祷来确认我是你们的总统。
And I hope that such prayers will also be the first of many.
我希望这祈祷也同样是第一次，不是最后一次。
If you have not chosen me by secret ballot, neither have I gained office by any secret promises.
如果诸位当初没有匿名投我一票，而我也没有为赢得总统职位做过任何私下承诺。
I have not campaigned either for the Presidency or the Vice Presidency.
我没有竞选当总统或副总统。
I have not subscribed to any partisan platform.
没有向任何党派捐赠。
I am indebted to no man, and only to one woman my dear wife as I begin this very difficult job.
在我开始这个重要工作之际，我只对一人由衷地感激她就是我亲爱的妻子。
I have not sought this enormous responsibility, but I will not shirk it.
尽管这份艰巨的责任不是我主动争取来的，但我也不会逃避此重任。
Those who nominated and confirmed me as Vice President were my friends and are my friends.
那些曾提名并选举我为副总统的人，过去是我的朋友，现在也是。
They were of both parties, elected by all the people and acting under the Constitution in their name.
他们中既有民主党人，又有共和党人，他们都由全民选举产生，履行宪法赋予他们的职责。
It is only fitting then that I should pledge to them and to you that I will be the President of all the people.
我向他们，也向你们宣誓我将成为全民的总统。我想这么做是恰当的。
Thomas Jefferson said the people are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.
托马斯杰斐逊说过，人民是维护我们自由的唯一可靠的保证。
And down the years, Abraham Lincoln renewed this American article of faith asking, "Is there any better way or equal hope in the world?"
若干年后，亚伯拉罕林肯重申了美国人的这一信条，他问道：“除此之外，难道世界上还有更好的途径和同样的希望吗？”
杰拉尔德·鲁道夫·福特（英语：Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.，1913年7月14日－2006年12月26日），生于美国内布拉斯加州奥马哈，美国政治家，美国第37任副总统和第38任总统，第二次世界大战美国海军服役。
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