第一篇：亞伯拉罕林肯的葛底斯堡的演講

Inaugural Speech by Abraham Lincoln March 4th 1861

Speech：

In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take in your presence the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President “before he enters on the execution of this office.”

I do not consider it necessary at present for me to discuss those matters of administration about which there is no special anxiety or excitement.Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that by the accession of a Republican Administration their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered.There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension.Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed and been open to their inspection.It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him who now addresses you.I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that:

I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists.I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this and many similar declarations and had never recanted them;and more than this, they placed in the platform for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read:

Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment exclusively, is essential to that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depend;and we denounce the lawless invasion by armed force of the soil of any State or Territory, no matter what pretext, as among the gravest of crimes.I now reiterate these sentiments, and in doing so I only press upon the public attention the most conclusive evidence of which the case is susceptible that the property, peace, and security of no section are to be in any wise endangered by the now incoming Administration.I add, too, that all the protection which, consistently with the Constitution and the laws, can be given will be cheerfully given to all the States when lawfully demanded, for whatever causeto this provision as much as to any other.To the proposition, then, that slaves whose cases come within the terms of this clause “shall be delivered up” their oaths are unanimous.Now, if they would make the effort in good temper, could they not with nearly equal unanimity frame and pass a law by means of which to keep good that unanimous oath?

There is some difference of opinion whether this clause should be enforced by national or by State authority, but surely that difference is not a very material one.If the slave is to be surrendered, it can be of but little consequence to him or to others by which authority it is done.And should anyone in any case be content that his oath shall go un-kept on a merely unsubstantial controversy as to how it shall be kept?

Again: In any law upon this subject ought not all the safeguards of liberty known in civilized and humane jurisprudence to be introduced, so that a free man be not in any case surrendered as a slave? And might it not be well at the same time to provide by law for the enforcement of that clause in the Constitution which guarantees that “the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States”?

I take the official oath to-day with no mental reservations and with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws by any hypercritical rules;and while I do not choose now to specify particular acts of Congress as proper to be enforced, I do suggest that it will be much safer for all, both in official and private stations, to conform to and abide by all those acts which stand un-repealed than to violate any of them trusting to find impunity in having them held to be unconstitutional.It is seventy-two years since the first inauguration of a President under our National Constitution.During that period fifteen different and greatly distinguished citizens have in succession administered the executive branch of the Government.They have conducted it through many perils, and generally with great success.Yet, with all this scope of precedent, I now enter upon the same task for the brief constitutional term of four years under great and peculiar difficulty.A disruption of the Federal Union, heretofore only menaced, is now formidably attempted.Top

I hold that in contemplation of universal law and of the Constitution the Union of these States is perpetual.Perpetuity is implied, if not expressed, in the fundamental law of all national governments.It is safe to assert that no government proper ever had a provision in its organic law for its own termination.Continue to execute all the express provisions of our National Constitution, and the Union will endure forever, it being impossible to destroy it except by some action not provided for in the instrument itself.Again: If the United States be not a government proper, but an association of States in the nature of contract merely, can it, as a contract, be peaceably unmade by less than all the parties who made it? One party to a contract may violate itbut does it not require all to lawfully rescind it?

Descending from these general principles, we find the proposition that in legal contemplation the Union is perpetual confirmed by the history of the Union itself.The Union is much older than the Constitution.It was formed, in fact, by the Articles of Association in 1774.It was matured and continued by the Declaration of Independence in 1776.It was further matured, and the faith of all the then thirteen States expressly plighted and engaged that it should be perpetual, by the Articles of Confederation in 1778.And finally, in 1787, one of the declared objects for ordaining and establishing the Constitution was “to form a more perfect Union.”

But if destruction of the Union by one or by a part only of the States be lawfully possible, the Union is less perfect than before the Constitution, having lost the vital element of perpetuity.It follows from these views that no State upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out of the Union;that resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void, and that acts of violence within any State or States against the authority of the United States are insurrectionary or revolutionary, according to circumstances.I therefore consider that in view of the Constitution and the laws the Union is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability, I shall take care, as the Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon me, that the laws of the Union be faithfully executed in all the States.Doing this I deem to be only a simple duty on my part, and I shall perform it so far as practicable unless my rightful masters, the American people, shall withhold the requisite means or in some authoritative manner direct the contrary.I trust this will not be regarded as a menace, but only as the declared purpose of the Union that it will constitutionally defend and maintain itself.In doing this there needs to be no bloodshed or violence, and there shall be none unless it be forced upon the national authority.The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government and to collect the duties and imposts;but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere.Where hostility to the United States in any interior locality shall be so great and universal as to prevent competent resident citizens from holding the Federal offices, there will be no attempt to force obnoxious strangers among the people for that object.While the strict legal right may exist in the Government to enforce the exercise of these offices, the attempt to do so would be so irritating and so nearly impracticable withal that I deem it better to forego for the time the uses of such offices.Top

The mails, unless repelled, will continue to be furnished in all parts of the Union.So far as possible the people everywhere shall have that sense of perfect security which is most favourable to calm thought and reflection.The course here indicated will be followed unless current events and experience shall show a modification or change to be proper, and in every case and exigency my best discretion will be exercised, according to circumstances actually existing and with a view and a hope of a peaceful solution of the national troubles and the restoration of fraternal sympathies and affections.That there are persons in one section or another who seek to destroy the Union at all events and are glad of any pretext to do it I will neither affirm nor deny;but if there be such, I need address no word to them.To those, however, who really love the Union may I not speak?

Before entering upon so grave a matter as the destruction of our national fabric, with all its benefits, its memories, and its hopes, would it not be wise to ascertain precisely why we do it? Will you hazard so desperate a step while there is any possibility that any portion of the ills you fly from have no real existence? Will you, while the certain ills you fly to are greater than all the real ones you fly from, will you risk the commission of so fearful a mistake?

All profess to be content in the Union if all constitutional rights can be maintained.Is it true, then, that any right plainly written in the Constitution has been denied? I think not.Happily, the human mind is so constituted that no party can reach to the audacity of doing this.Think, if you can, of a single instance in which a plainly written provision of the Constitution has ever been denied.If by the mere force of numbers a majority should deprive a minority of any clearly written constitutional right, it might in a moral point of view justify revolution;certainly would if such right were a vital one.But such is not our case.All the vital rights of minorities and of individuals are so plainly assured to them by affirmations and negations, guaranties and prohibitions, in the Constitution that controversies never arise concerning them.But no organic law can ever be framed with a provision specifically applicable to every question which may occur in practical administration.No foresight can anticipate nor any document of reasonable length contain express provisions for all possible questions.Shall fugitives from labor be surrendered by national or by State authority? The Constitution does not expressly say.May Congress prohibit slavery in the Territories? The Constitution does not expressly say.Must Congress protect slavery in the Territories? The Constitution does not expressly say.

第二篇：亞伯拉罕.林肯演講稿-葛底斯堡演說

葛底斯堡演說（Delivered on the 19th Day of November, 1863 Cemetery Hill, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania）1863年11月19日,葛底斯堡,賓夕法尼亞Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new Nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.Now, we are engaged in a great Civil War, testing whether that Nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.We are met on a great battlefield of that war.We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that Nation might live.It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.87年前，我們的先輩們在這個大陸上創立了一個新國家，它孕育于自由之中，奉行一切人生來平等的原則。現在我們正從事一場偉大的內戰，以考驗這個國家，或者任何一個孕育于自由和奉行上述原則的國家是否能夠長久存在下去。我們在這場戰爭中的一個偉大戰場上集會。烈士們為使這個國家能夠生存下去而獻出了自己的生命，我們來到這里，是要把這個戰場的一部分奉獻給他們作為最后安息之所。我們這樣做是完全應該而且是非常恰當的。But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract.The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us;that from these honored dead, we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion;that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this Nation, under GOD, shall have a new birth of freedom;and that government of the People by the People and for the People shall not perish from the earth.但是，從更廣泛的意義上來說，這塊土地我們不能夠奉獻，不能夠圣化，不能夠神化。那些曾在這里戰斗過的勇士們，活著的和去世的，已經把這塊土地圣化了，這遠不是我們微薄的力量所能增減的。我們今天在這里所說的話，全世界不大會注意，也不會長久地記住，但勇士們在這里所做過的事，全世界卻永遠不會忘記。毋寧說，倒是我們這些還活著的人，應該在這里把自己奉獻于勇士們已經如此崇高地向前推進但尚未完成的事業。倒是我們應該在這里把自己奉獻于仍然留在我們面前的偉大任務--我們要從這些光榮的死者身上汲取更多的獻身精神，來完成他們已經完全徹底為之獻身的事業；我們要在這里下定最大的決心，不讓這些死者白白犧牲；我們要使國家在上帝福佑下得到自由的新生，要使這個民有、民治、民享的政府永世長存。Abraham Lincoln 亞伯拉罕·林肯

背景知識：在1863年11月19日，正值美國內戰中葛底斯堡戰役結束后四個半月，林肯在賓夕法尼亞州葛底斯堡的葛底斯堡國家公墓（Gettysburg National Cemetery）揭幕式中發表是之演說，哀悼在長達5個半月的葛底斯堡之役中陣亡的將士。林肯的演講于當天第二順位發表，修辭細膩周密，其后成為美國歷史上最偉大的演說之一。出乎意料的是，盡管這場演說名垂青史，聲震寰宇，其確切之措辭卻頗受爭議。五份已知的演說稿，與當時新聞報導中的謄抄本，于若干細節上彼此互異。

第三篇：林肯葛底斯堡演講 中英文

在八十七年前，我們的國父們在這塊土地上創建一個新的國家，乃基于對自由的堅信，并致力于所有人皆生而平等的信念。Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.當下吾等被卷入一場偉大的內戰，以考驗是否此國度，或任何肇基于和奉獻于斯者，可永垂不朽。吾等現相逢于此戰中一處浩大戰場。而吾等將奉獻此戰場之部分，作為這群交付彼者生命讓那國度勉能生存的人們最后安息之處。此乃全然妥切且適當而為吾人應行之舉。

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.We are met on a great battle field of that war.We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives to that nation might live.It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.但，于更大意義之上，吾等無法致力、無法奉上、無法成就此土之圣。這群勇者，無論生死，曾于斯奮戰到底，早已使其神圣，而遠超過吾人卑微之力所能增 減。這世間不曾絲毫留意，也不長久記得吾等于斯所言，但永不忘懷彼人于此所為。吾等生者，理應當然，獻身于此輩鞠躬盡瘁之未完大業。吾等在此責無旁貸獻身 于眼前之偉大使命：自光榮的亡者之處吾人肩起其終極之奉獻—吾等在此答應亡者之死當非徒然—此國度，于神佑之下，當享有自由之新生—民有、民治、民享之政府當免于凋零。

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground.The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

第四篇：林肯的葛底斯堡演講

林肯的葛底斯堡演講

亞伯拉罕．林肯

Abraham Lincoln 亞伯拉罕．林肯（1809－1865），美國第十六任總統（1861－1865）。他自修法律，以反對奴隸制的綱領當選為總統，導致南方諸州脫離聯邦。在由此引起的南北戰爭（1861－1865）中，他作為總統，發揮了美國歷史上最有效、最鼓舞人心的領導作用，以其堅定的信念、深遠的眼光和完美無缺的政治手腕，成功地引導一個處于分裂的國家度過了其歷史上流血最多的內戰，從而換救了聯邦。他致力于推進全人類的民主、自由和平等，以最雄辯的語言闡述了人道主義的思想，不失時機地發表《解放黑奴宣言》，因而被后人尊稱為“偉大的解放者”。林肯不僅是一個偉大的總統，更是一個偉人。他出生于社會低層，具有勤勞簡樸、謙虛和誠懇的美德。在美國歷屆總統中，林肯堪稱是最平易近人的一位。林肯的著作主要是演講詞和書信，以樸素莊嚴、觀點明確、思想豐富、表達靈活、適應對象并具有特殊的美國風味見稱。此篇演講是美國文學中最漂亮、最富有詩意的文章之一。雖然這是一篇慶祝軍事勝利的演說，但它沒有好戰之氣。相反，這是一篇感人肺腑的頌辭，贊美那些作出最后犧牲的人們，以及他們為之獻身的那些理想。其中“政府應為民有、民治、民享”的名言被人們廣為傳頌。

八十七年前，我們先輩在這個大陸上創立了一個新國家，它孕育于自由之中，奉行一切人生來平等的原則。

我們正從事一場偉大的內戰，以考驗這個國家，或者任何一個孕育于自由和奉行上述原則的國家是否能夠長久存在下去。我們在這場戰爭中的一個偉大戰場上集會。烈士們為使這個國家能夠生存下去而獻出了自己的生命，我們來到這里，是要把這個戰場的一部分奉獻給他們作為最后安息之所。我們這樣做是完全應該而且非常恰當的。

但是，從更廣泛的意義上說，這塊土地我們不能夠奉獻，不能夠圣化，不能夠神化。那些曾在這里戰斗過的勇士們，活著的和去世的，已經把這塊土地圣化了，這遠不是我們微薄的力量所能增減的。我們今天在這里所說的話，全世界不大會注意，也不會長久地記住，但勇士們在這里所做過的事，全世界卻永遠不會忘記。毋寧說，倒是我們這些還活著的人，應該在這里把自己奉獻于勇士們已經如此崇高地向前推進但尚未完成的事業。倒是我們應該在這里把自已奉獻于仍然留在我們面前的偉大任務——我們要從這些光榮的死者身上吸取更多的獻身精神，來完成他們已經完全徹底為之獻身的事業；我們要在這里下定最大的決心，不讓這些死者白白犧牲；我們要使國家在上帝福佑下自由的新生，要使這個民有、民治、民享的政府永世長存。

第五篇：林肯葛底斯堡演說詞

葛底斯堡演說詞——亞伯拉罕·林肯

（這是林肯1863年11月19[4]日在葛底斯堡陣亡將士公墓落成儀式上發表的演說，是公認的英語演講的最高典范。）

八十七年前，我們的先輩在這個大陸上建立起一個

葛底斯堡演說

嶄新的國家。這個國家以自由為理想，奉行所有人生來平等的原則。

我們正在進行一場偉大的國內戰爭。我們的國家或任何一個有著同樣理想與目標的國家能否長久存在，這次戰爭是一場考驗。現在我們——在這場戰爭的一個偉大戰場上——聚會在一起，將這戰場上的一小塊土地奉獻給那些為國家生存而英勇捐軀的人們，作為他們最后的安息之地。我們這樣做是完全適當的、應該的。

然而，從深一層的意義上說來，我們沒有能力奉獻這塊土地，沒有能力使這塊土地變得更為神圣。因為在這里進行過斗爭的、活著的和已經死去的勇士們，已經使這塊土地變得這樣圣潔，我們的微力已不足以對它有所揚抑。我今天在這里說的話，也許世人不會注意也不會記住，但是這些英雄的業績，人們會永世不忘。

我們后來者應該做的，是獻身于英雄們曾在此為之奮斗、努力推進但尚未完成的工作。我們應該獻身于他們遺留給我們的偉大任務。我們的先烈已將自己的全部精誠賦予我們的事業，我們應從他們的榜樣中汲取更多的精神力量，決心使他們的鮮血不至白流。在上帝的護佑下，我們的國家將獲得自由的新生。我們這個民有、民治、民享的政府將永存于世上。

英文版

The Gettysburg Address

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania November 19, 1863-Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.-Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.We are met on a great battle-field of that war.We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives.That nation might live.It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.-But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground.The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.-It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before usthat cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotionthat these dead shall not have died in vainand that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.(By Abraham Lincoln)