美国20世纪百大英语演讲05：Who, then, will speak for the common good by
Barbara Jordan: “Who Then Will Speak for the Common Good?“
1976 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address
巴巴拉·约旦: “谁将为公共利益说话?“
1976年民主党全国大会主旨演讲
delivered 12 July 1976, New York, NY
巴巴拉·约旦于1976年7月12日纽约
Thank you ladies and gentlemen for a very warm reception.
感谢女士们和先生们，感谢你们给予的热情接待。
It was one hundred and forty-four years ago that members of the Democratic Party first met in convention to select a Presidential candidate. Since that time, Democrats have continued to convene once every four years and draft a party platform and nominate a Presidential candidate. And our meeting this week is a continuation of that tradition. But there is something different about tonight.
在一百四十年前，民主党的成员首次举行大会选举总统候选人，自此以后，民主党每四年一次聚会起草治党纲领、任命一位总统候选人。现在我们本周举行的大会就是继承这个传统。但是今晚有一点与以往不同的地方。
There is something special about tonight. What is different? What is special?
那就是今晚的演讲有点特别。有何不同呢？有何特别呢？
I, Barbara Jordan, am a keynote speaker.
我，巴巴拉·约旦，成为今晚的主题演讲人。
A lot of years passed since 1832, and during that time it would have been most unusual for any national political party to ask that a Barbara Jordan to deliver a keynote address. But tonight here I am. And I feel that notwithstanding the past that my presence here is one additional bit of evidence that the American Dream need not forever be deferred.
1832年以后许多年过去了，在这么漫长的时间里，让一个叫巴巴拉·约旦的人作主题演讲，对任何一个国家政党来说将是一件最不寻常的事。但是，今晚我就在此，我觉得我在此作了美国梦并非永远遥不可及的特别见证。
Now that I have this grand distinction what in the world am I supposed to say? I could easily spend this time praising the accomplishments of this party and attacking the Republicans -- but I don’t choose to do that. I could list the many problems which Americans have. I could list the problems which cause people to feel cynical, angry, frustrated: problems which include lack of integrity in government; the feeling that the individual no longer counts; the reality of material and spiritual poverty; the feeling that the grand American experiment is failing or has failed. I could recite these problems, and then I could sit down and offer no solutions. But I don’t choose to do that either. The citizens of America expect more. They deserve and they want more than a recital of problems.
现在我拥有如此隆重的声望，我该向这个世界说些什么呢？我可轻易而举地利用这个时间赞美本党取得的成就、大肆抨击共和党，但是我不想如此。我可以列举美国面对的许多问题，我可以列举许多导致人们愤世嫉俗、愤怒不满、挫折失落的问题；这些问题包括政府缺乏整体诚信，感觉个人不再有价值，物质精神贫困的现实，感觉伟大的美国实验正在失败或已经失败。我可以背诵这些问题，将其列举出来但是无法提供解决方案。但是，我同样不想谈这些。美国人民期待听到更多的东西。他们应该也想知道罗列问题之外的更多东西。
We are a people in a quandary about the present. We are a people in search of our future. We are a people in search of a national community. We are a people trying not only to solve the problems of the present, unemployment, inflation, but we are attempting on a larger scale to fulfill the promise of America. We are attempting to fulfill our national purpose, to create and sustain a society in which all of us are equal.
我们是一群对现状进退两难的人，我们共同探索我们的明天，我们努力寻求我们共有国家认同感，我们不仅努力解决当务之急，诸如失业，通货膨胀，我们而且致力在更大程度上兑现美国的承诺。我们正努力实现我们国家的目标，努力创造并维护一个人人平等的社会。
Throughout out history, when people have looked for new ways to solve their problems, and to uphold the principles of this nation, many times they have turned to political parties. They have often turned to the Democratic Party. What is it? What is it about the Democratic Party that makes it the instrument the people use when they search for ways to shape their future? Well I believe the answer to that question lies in our concept of governing. Our concept of governing is derived from our view of people. It is a concept deeply rooted in a set of beliefs firmly etched in the national conscience of all of us.
历史表明，当人们为解决他们的问题谋求新路和支持这个国家的准则时，他们许多时候会诉诸政党。他们经常转向民主党。这意味着什么？人们寻求未来之路时使用的工具，与民主党采取的措施有什么关系？我确信答案就在于我们的执政理念中。我们的执政理念来自人民的观点。它深深地根植于我们大家的国家意识中一整套坚不可蚀的信念。
Now what are these beliefs? First, we believe in equality for all and privileges for none. This is a belief that each American regardless of background has equal standing in the public forum -- all of us. Because we believe this idea so firmly, we are an inclusive rather than an exclusive party. Let everybody come! I think it no accident that most of those emigrating to America in the 19th century identified with the Democratic Party. We are a heterogeneous party made up of Americans of diverse backgrounds.
那么这些信念有哪些呢？首先，我们深信我们人人平等没有任何人享有特权。这个信念表明，每一个美国人不管其背景都能平等站在所有人的公共讲坛上发言。因为我们相信这个信念是如此坚固，我们包含了一切排他的政党的信念。让每一个人都来参与。大多数19世纪移民来到美国的人见证了民主党，我想这并非偶然。我们是一个由不同背景的美国人组成的具有丰富代表性的政党。
We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted.
我们确信人民是所有政府的力量之源，人民的权力只能不断扩大，绝不能被限制。
This can be accomplished only by providing each citizen with every opportunity to participate in the management of the government. They must have that, we believe. We believe that the government which represents the authority of all the people, not just one interest group, but all the people, has an obligation to actively -- underscore actively -- seek to remove those obstacles which would block individual achievement -- obstacles emanating from race, sex, economic condition. The government must remove them, seek to remove them.
只有给每一个公民每一个机会参与政府的管理，才能使这一切成为现实。我们确信，他们应该拥有代表全体人民的政府，不只是一部分利益团体的政府，而是所有人民的政府，这个政府有一种积极的义务――我强调是积极的――努力消除阻碍个人奋斗的障碍――这些在种族、性别、经济条件方面形成的障碍。政府一定要将这些障碍一扫而空，全力一扫而空。
We are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change we must. We are willing to suffer the discomfort of change in order to achieve a better future. We have a positive vision of the future founded on the belief that the gap between the promise and reality of America can one day be finally closed.
我们是一个创新的政党，我们不拒斥我们的传统，但在我们必须改变时，我们会努力顺应环境因时而变。为了争取更美好的未来，我们会乐于忍受改革的阵痛。我们坚信美国的期许与现实的差距终有一天会消除，基于此我们对未来乐观无疑。
We believe that.
我们坚信这一点。
This, my friends, is the bedrock of our concept of governing. This is a part of the reason why Americans have turned to the Democratic Party. These are the foundations upon which a national community can be built. Let’s all understand that these guiding principles cannot be discarded for short-term political gains. They represent what this country is all about. They are indigenous to the American idea. And these are principles which are not negotiable.
这就是，我的朋友们，这就是我们的执政信念。这就是为什么美国人民转向民主党的部分原因。这些是一个国家共同体得以建立的基础。让我们明白，这些主导原则不仅是短期的政治需要后就弃之不顾。它们代表这个国家的方方面面。它们是美国本土的理念。所有这些都是不容妥协的原则。
In other times, I could stand here and give this kind of exposition on the beliefs of the Democratic Party and that would be enough. But today that is not enough. People want more. That is not sufficient reason for the majority of the people of this country to vote Democratic. We have made mistakes. We realize that. In our haste to do all things for all people, we did not foresee the full consequences of our actions. And when the people raised their voices, we didn’t hear. But our deafness was only a temporary condition, and not an irreversible condition.
在其他时候，我可以站在这里就民主党的信念对此作出这样的申明就足矣。但在今天远远不够。因为人民所需更多。这就是并非这个国家的大多数选举民主党的理由。我们已经犯错误。我们意识到了这一点。在我们匆忙为所有人民所做的所有事中，我们没有预见到我们的行为所导致的后果。而且当人民提高他们的申诉声时，我们没有倾听。但是我们的耳聋只是暂时的情况，并非不可挽回的。
Even as I stand here and admit that we have made mistakes, I still believe that as the people of America sit in judgment on each party, they will recognize that our mistakes were mistakes of the heart. They’ll recognize that.
纵使我站在这里承认我们已经犯错，我依然坚信美国人民在评判每一个政党时，他们会意识到我们的错误是心灵的错误。他们将识清真相。
And now we must look to the future. Let us heed the voice of the people and recognize their common sense. If we do not, we not only blaspheme our political heritage, we ignore the common ties that bind all Americans. Many fear the future. Many are distrustful of their leaders, and believe that their voices are never heard. Many seek only to satisfy their private work wants. To satisfy their private interests. But this is the great danger America faces. That we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual. Each seeking to satisfy private wants. If that happens, who then will speak for America? Who then will speak for the common good?
既然我们必须面向未来，就让我们留意人民的声音、理解他们的共识。假如我们不如此，我们不仅会辱没我们秉承的政治传统，而且还会忽视团结所有美国人民的根本所系。许多人担心未来。许多人不信任他们的领导人，他们确信他们的声音从没有人倾听。许多人只是满足自己的私欲所求。只是满足他们私人的利益。这却是美国面对的大难。这样我们将不再是一个国家，而变成各种利益的集合体：城市与郊区冲突，地区与地区矛盾，个人与个人之间对立。每个人只图满足自己的私欲。假如这一切发生，谁将为美国说话？谁将为公共利益说话？
This is the question which must be answered in 1976.
这就是必须在1976年回答的问题。
Are we to be one people bound together by common spirit, sharing in a common endeavor; or will we become a divided nation? For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future. We must not become the new Puritans and reject our society. We must address and master the future together. It can be done if we restore the belief that we share a sense of national community, that we share a common national endeavor. It can be done.
我们是全民一体基于共同意志团结一心、共同努力还是应该成为一个分裂的国家？因为所有一切无法确定，我们不能逃离未来。我们不能成为新的清教徒而抗拒我们的社会。我们必须一起面向未来并成为未来的主人。假如我们坚固信念，我们共享一个国家共同体并共同为国家奋斗努力，我们就能做到这一点。我们完全可以做到。
There is no executive order; there is no law that can require the American people to form a national community. This we must do as individuals, and if we do it as individuals, there is no President of the United States who can veto that decision.
这不是必须执行的命令；没有法律要求美国人民形成一个国家共同体。这是我们每个个人必须做的，只要我们个个身体力行，没有一个总统能否决这个决定。
As a first step, we must restore our belief in ourselves. We are a generous people so why can’t we be generous with each other? We need to take to heart the words spoken by Thomas Jefferson:
首要的第一步是，我们必须坚固我们自己的信念。我们是慷慨的人民，那么为什么我们不能彼此慷慨呢？我们需要从心底履行托马斯·杰弗逊所说的：
“Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life are but dreary things.“
“让我们坚定追求社会和谐和友爱，没有这些，自由甚至生命将苍白无力。”
A nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good. A government is invigorated when each of us is willing to participate in shaping the future of this nation. In this election year we must define the common good and begin again to shape a common future. Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us.
一个国家由我们每个人为共同利益而共担责任形成的意志所铸就。当我们每个人都愿参与铸造一个国家的未来，一个政府会深受鼓舞。在这个选举年，我们必须定义共同利益并重新开始设计共同的未来。让每一个人各尽其分。假如一个公民不愿参与，我们所有人将面临失败。美国的信念尽管为我们所有人分享，但是更应为我们大家知晓。
And now, what are those of us who are elected public officials supposed to do? We call ourselves public servants but I’ll tell you this: We as public servants must set an example for the rest of the nation. It is hypocritical for the public official to admonish and exhort the people to uphold the common good if we are derelict in upholding the common good. More is required of public officials than slogans and handshakes and press releases. More is required. We must hold ourselves strictly accountable. We must provide the people with a vision of the future.
现在，我们当中被选举担任公职的那些人应该做些什么呢？我们称我们是公仆，但是我要告诉你们的是：我们作为公仆要为这个国家其他人树立榜样。如果我们抛弃了维护公义的立场，而去训诫他人坚守公共利益，这所谓的公仆只不过是伪善之徒。对公务员而言，需要他们做的远比标语、握手和新闻发布会多得多。要求他们做的还有更多的事。我们必须为人民提供未来的先见之明。
If we promise as public officials, we must deliver. If we as public officials propose, we must produce. If we say to the American people it is time for you to be sacrificial; sacrifice. If the public official says that, we [public officials] must be the first to give. We must be. And again, if we make mistakes, we must be willing to admit them. We have to do that. What we have to do is strike a balance between the idea that government should do everything and that idea, the belief, that government ought to do nothing. Strike a balance. Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of a national community. It’s tough, difficult, not easy. But a spirit of harmony will survive in America only if each of us remembers that we share a common destiny. If each of us remembers when self-interest and bitterness seem to prevail that we share a common destiny.
假如我们答应作公务员，我们必须作出承诺。假如我们作为公务员有固定的目标，我们必须去实现。假如我们对美国人民说，这是你们需要作出牺牲的时候，你们就必须牺牲自己。假如作为公务员的我们必须首先给予，我们必须立即给予。同时，当我们犯了错误，我们必须乐意承认。我们必须做的是在“政府须做任何事”与“政府什么也不做”这两个理念之间保持平衡。必须保持平衡。让我们不要对构筑一个国家共同体的困难抱幻想。这是艰辛的、艰难的，绝非轻易而举之事。只要我们大家每一个成员共享一个共同的命运，一种和衷共济的精神就能在美国永存。只要我们我们大家每个成员的个人利益和苦难能克服，我们就能共享一个共同的命运。
I have confidence that we can form this kind of national community.
我有信心我们能筑就这种国家共同体。
I have confidence that the Democratic Party can lead the way.
我有信心民主党能领导潮流。
I have that confidence.
我完全有信心。
We cannot improve on the system of government handed down to us by the founders of the Republic. There is no way to improve upon that. But what we can do is to find new ways to implement that system and realize our destiny.
我们不能对由共和党的创立者转交给我们的政府系统进行改进。其中已经没有可改进之处。但是我们可以发现贯彻这套系统、认识我们的命运的新路。
Now, I began this speech by commenting to you on the uniqueness of a Barbara Jordan making a keynote address. Well I am going to close my speech by quoting a Republican President and I ask you that as you listen to these words of Abraham Lincoln, relate them to the concept of a national community in which every last one of us participates:
此刻，我给你们作这场主旨演讲，为你们用巴巴拉·约旦特有的角度进行了陈述，在我将要结束我的演讲时，我要引述一位共和党总统的话，我请求你们在倾听亚伯拉罕·林肯的这些话语时，联想到我们每个人参与的国家共同体理念：
“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of Democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no Democracy.“
“假如我不愿做奴隶，那么我也不愿做奴隶主。我的这一民主理念的表述，不管与此有多少差别，如果只是扩大差别，就不是民主。”
Thank you.
谢谢你们。
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