#晚会致词

My fellow soldiers and students,

  New Spring Festival is coming to us with no more than ten days. Before the festival comes, let me, on behalf of all the officers and soldiers present, express our sincere thanks to the teachers and students here who just gave us wonderful performance full of profound sentiments of friendship. The teachers and students from our cooperative unit: No 29 Middle School of Jilin City is together with us as our relatives. They brought us special gifts.

  The students who performed today on the stage seem to be as old as our soldiers are. But your performance filled with skillful and profound sentiments of friendship touched and attracted our younger officers and soldiers. Your performance enhances the festival atmosphere at the military camp. Your performance comforts our soldiers who miss the parents and relatives. Your performance strengthens our soldiers resolve to defense our motherland and her boundaries.

  I am terribly sorry to say that we have not enough soldiers to take the seats here today. But what excites us is that the special place is full of singing and laughing and full of atmosphere of good healthy, unity, happiness. The singing and laughing shows our mutual belief and support! The friendship between us is as close as fish and water! With these entire atmosphere, singing and laughing, I believe the difficulty beaten us in managing school and in entering school will be overcome. With all these we will have the unselfish support for the army and the tradition of love of people will bring to greater height of development.

  To end my speech, I would like to suggest a warm applause to the teachers and students on the stage. May the applause resemble the magnificent results of the cooperative establishment between us. May the applause bring happiness fruit of the cooperative establishment between us. At the same time may the teachers and students make greater progress in teaching and learning! And happy New Year to all of you! Thank you all!

战友们，同学们：

　　再有十多天就是春节了，在新春佳节即将来临之际，我们共建的单位吉林市第二十九中学的师生们以亲人的身份，带着特殊的礼品走到大家身边，让我代表在座的官兵对师生们的精彩表演所抒发出的深情厚意表示诚挚的谢意！

　　今天登台演出的同学们与我们战士的年龄相差无几，同学们浓厚的艺术细胞和异彩纷呈的表演震撼撞击着青年官兵，增强了军营的节日气氛，抚慰了新战士的思亲之情，坚定了广大战士戊边卫国的豪情壮志。

　　遗憾的是由于部队人员少致使座有虚席，令人兴奋的是整个会场却洋溢着歌声、笑声，充满了健康、团结、祥和的气氛和色彩。这笑声、这气氛、这色彩更加烘托折射出我们彼此之间是何等地相互信任和支持，鱼水情谊是何等地深厚与浓郁！有这歌声和笑声，凭这气氛和色彩，我相信双方之间的办学困难、入学难题都将化为乌有，随之而来的是智力拥军的无私奉献，爱民传统的发扬光大！

　　最后，让我们把掌声送到前台装入师生心中，让这掌声在彼此之间的心灵深处开出美丽的共建之花，结出丰硕的共建之果！同时也预祝师生教学相长，新春愉快！

　谢谢大家！

*A Speech at the Wedding

#婚礼致词

Dear Honorable guests,

  Good morning.

  Now spring coming, a couple, bride and bridegroom, like a spring emissary is standing happily before us with the wedding music playing on. The bridegroom is Procure Carl Robert, from New York city, the world-known city just opposite the Pacific Ocean beyond us, who is teaching in our department now. Mr. Carl Robert is over one point seven eight metre high, much taller than a Chinese gentleman of one point seven metre high and the bride is Miss Tang Ling, also from our department, who is working hard for the doctorate in New York. She may not be a most beautiful girl, I may say, but she is much more beautiful than the charming ones from Taojiang, China. Today, they are getting married each other and beginning the new marriage life between a Chinese girl and American gentleman.

  God shapes the bridegroom handsome and the bride beauty. They are an affectionate couple. Now it is raining, which resembles their love that can undertake any storm. Every guest present is so pious that they give the couple a devout pray silently. The aged are praying for the couple, saying that Carl Robert and Tang Ling should love and respect each other and live together until old age, while the middle-aged are still praying for the couple, saying that the couple will take adventure and work hard at lessons for gaining great occupations in future. We are of the same age who are all praying for the couple live a happy, sweet and pleasant life forever. I just now received a hot line telephone from Hainan island saying that the Avalokitesvara (or Guanying) shows so her kindness of heart to the couple that a lovely fat baby is convoyed on the way to our college by through train No. 666, he will be with us at 8:08 on 8th December.

  The couple feel so immeasurably joy and happy that they select "Golden Tong" hotel which makes a good omen to treat every guest and thank every guest and God for their kindness. However I may say please excuse us if you do not receive good service and treatment. Now attention, please, the couple are going to bow their thanks respectively and wholeheartedly to all here.

  Now the first bow low is for God, for motherland and for parents' bringing up and their kindness. A second bow low is for close friends and relatives, for workmates and classmates' presenting and profound sentiments of kindness. Now come the time, the third bow low, the bride and bridegroom are hand in hand, standing opposite, and making a solemn pledge of love of each other. What a happy occasion we have. And now it is time for us to have mellow wine and delicious dishes on the tables. I would like to suggest that everyone of us take up the cups and also I would like to propose a toast for the lover getting married finally, for every guest having a happy New Year and smoothness in everything in the coming day forever. Let's drink to our heart content! Bottom up!

各位嘉宾：

　　你们好！

　　春天来了，一对春天的使者，踏着婚礼进行曲正含情脉脉立在大家面前。新郎是Carl Robert教授，来自大西洋彼岸的世界名城纽约，身高1米78有余，比中国堂堂五尺的男儿还高，现任教于我校外语系。新娘是我系的唐玲小姐，不是西施，但胜似我国的桃江美女，现正在纽约大学攻读博士。今天，就是他们各牵红线的一头走到了一起，开始了"中西合璧的二人转"。

　　造物主作美，赐给他们郎才女貌，并恩恩爱爱，还有一个象征着他们的爱情不怕任何天涯海角考验的风雨天。来宾们虔诚地默默祝福。老一辈在祈祷：Carl Robert和唐玲互敬互爱，白头偕老；中年人在祈盼：小夫妻要勇闯、苦学，明天挑大梁；同龄人齐祝愿：阿哥阿妹永远幸福、美满、甜蜜。我刚才也接到了南海打来的热线电话，大慈大悲的观世音菩萨，正护送一个白白胖胖、人见人爱的娃娃，乘坐666（顺、顺、顺）次特别列车赶来我校，将于12月18日8时8分到达。

　　沉浸在无限喜悦和幸福中的新郎新娘，为答谢各位的盛情祝愿和上苍的保佑，特精心挑选在有预示的"金童"大酒店备席，但宴席档次欠高，招待也许不周，谨请大家多多见谅，多多包涵。下面这对有情人将向你们深深地三鞠躬，以表示衷心感谢。

　　为谢天地、谢祖国、谢父母的造就和栽培大恩，一鞠躬；为谢亲朋、谢同事和谢同学的赏光和深情厚意，二鞠躬；现在夫妻双手相牵，两心相对，海誓山盟，三鞠躬。好！时机成熟，酒香肴美，请全体举杯，为今天有情人终成眷属，也为所有的嘉宾新年开心、顺心，干杯！

*Words of Advice at Graduating

#毕业赠言

Graduates and my fellow students,

  You all are leaving your Alma Mater now. I have no gift to present you all except a piece of advice.

  What I would like to advise is that "Don't give up your study." Most of the courses you have taken are partly for your certificate. You had no choice but to take them. From now on, you may study on your own. I would advise you to work hard at some special field when you are still young and vigorous. Your youth will be gone that will never come back to you again. When you are old, and when your energy are getting poorer, you will not be able to as you wish to. Even though you have to study in order to make a living, studies will never live up to you. Making a living without studying, you will be shifted out in three or five years. At this time when you hope to make it up, you will say it is too late. Perhaps you will say, "After graduation and going into the society, we will meet with an urgent problem, that is, to make a living. For this we have no time to study. Even though we hope to study, we have no library nor labs, how can we study further?"

  I would like to say that all those who wait to have a library will not study further even though they have one and all these who wait to have a lab will not do experiments even though they have one. When you have a firm resolution and determination to solve a problem, you will naturally economize on food and clothing.

  As for time, I should say it's not a problem. You may know that every day he could do only an hour work, not much more than that because Darwin was ill for all his life. You must have read his achievements. Every day you spend an hour in reading 10 useful pages, then you will read more than 3650 pages every year. In 30 years you will have read 110,000 pages.

  My fellow students, reading 110,000 pages will make you a scholar. But it will take you an hour to read three kinds of small-sized newspapers and it will take you an hour and a half to play four rounds of Mahjian pieces. Reading small-sized newspapers or playing Mahjian pieces, or working hard to be a scholar? It's up to you all.

  Henrik Ibsen said, "It is your greatest duty to make yourself out."

  Studying is then as tool as casting. Giving up studying will destroy yourself.

  I have to say goodbye to you all. Your Alma Mater will open her eyes to see what you will be in 10 years. Goodbye!

诸位毕业生同学：

　　你们现在要离开母校了，我没有什么礼物送给你们，只好送你们一句话吧。这句话是："不要抛弃学问"。以前的功课也许有一大部分是为了这张文凭，不得已而做的。从今以后，你们可以依自己的心愿去研究了。趁着现在年富力强时候，努力做一种专门的学问。少年是一去不返的，等到精力衰退时，要做学问也来不及了。既为吃饭计，学问绝不会辜负人的。吃饭而不求学问，三年五年之后，你们都要被先进的少年淘汰掉的。到那时再想做点学问来补救，恐怕已晚了。

　　有人说："出去做事之后，生活问题急需解决，哪有功夫去读书？即使要做学问，既没有图书馆，也没有实验室，哪能做学问？"

　　我要对你们说：凡是要等到有了图书馆才读书的，有了图书馆也不肯读书；凡是要等到有了实验室才做研究的，有了实验室也不肯做研究。你有了决心要解决一个问题，自然会节衣缩食去买书，自然会想出法子来购置仪器。

　　至于时间，更不成问题。达尔文一生多病，不能多做工，每天只能做一小时的工作。你们看他的成绩！每天花一小时看十页有用的书，每年可看三千六百多页书，三十年读十一万页书。

　　诸位，十一万页的书可以使你成为一个学者了。可是，每天看三种小报也得费你一小时的功夫；四圈麻将也得费你一个半小时的光阴。看小报呢？打麻将呢？还是努力做一位学者？全靠你自己选择！

　　易卜生说："你的最大责任是把你这块材料铸成器。"

　　学问便是铸器的工具。抛弃了学问便是毁了你自己。

　　再会了！你们的母校眼睁睁地要看你们十年之后成什么器。

*All are Brothers in the Four Seas

#四海之内皆兄弟

  Long ago, I think, it might be in 1942 that Chairman Mao criticized and complained that some workmates wrote articles which were both long and dull. An English proverb goes like this; Precise is the language and clarity is wisdom. I agree with that and I have practiced that in more than 2000 public speeches in every part of the world. Today I would like to say a few words about the topic.

  Above all, I would like to thank everyone here. I would like to thank every Chinese friend of mine. I would like to thank these who may read my speech but who I have no chance to make acquaintance with. I would like to thank the great and outstanding Chinese people and her leaders.

  Since about 40 years, it is they who encourage me to work. It is they who encourage me not only to work, but also practice medicine. It is they who encourage me not only to practice medicine but also study life.

  Today, I found I was rooted in China as I was 21 years old. 4 days ago it was my 78 years birthday. My feelings still remain as those of past.

  I should say I am a very lucky woman. As for work, I am a doctor, an author, a public speaker, and a scholar of economist, social activist and politic scholar. I am a wife and a mother as well. Now I have become grandmother and great grandmother. All these have become possible because of you all, because of the great Chinese people: my friends.

  Chinese revolution is a brilliant achievement which has changed the world. World changes with each passing day instead of remaining unchanging. The Chinese people have their great leaders and will continue to have their great and outstanding leaders who know quite well about what happens in the world. By the way, I would like to mention that many countries in the earth envy China her leaders who own wisdom and broad visions. Mr. Deng Xiaoping is a very distinguishable and great leader. With his guides, the Chinese people would have overcome their difficulty successfully. With his guides, the Chinese people have gained their very important positions in the very time when we face a new one in the 21 century.

  I always think that it is natural for peoples of the world to promote each other's understanding, because I am a half-breed of Chinese and Western people, just a medium between the two cultures. Different thinking ways should not result in hatred and discrimination instead we should learn form each other and get a better understanding. I enjoy good health so I loyaly abide by the ancient Chinese philosophy and this is within the four seas all men are brothers.

　　很久以前，我想是1942年吧，毛主席批评说，有些同事，作文演说，冗长无度。英国人有一句谚语：言贵简洁，智在清晰。对此，我完全同意，并在世界各地两千多次的演说中总是努力实践。因此，今天也只说几句话。

　　首先，要感谢大家，感谢所有的朋友，感谢所有那些我尚无缘识君但也许要阅读这篇讲稿的人们，感谢伟大的卓越的中国人民及其领导。

　　几乎40年来，是他们鼓励着我的工作。不但鼓励着我写作，也鼓励着我行医；不但行医，也鼓励着我研究人生。

　　今天，如同21岁时一样，我发现我的根在中国。4天之前，初度七十有八，感觉依然如故。

　　我是一个十分幸运的女性，因为我的工作，无论是作为一个医生，一个作家，一个演讲者，一个经济学、社会学和政治学者，还有作为人妻，作为人母，现在又作为祖母和曾祖母，所有这些工作之所以成为可能，那是因为有了你们，我的朋友们：伟大的中国人民。

　　中国革命是辉煌的业绩，因为它改变了世界。世界并非万古不变，而是日新月异。中国人民拥有伟大的领导人，而且继续拥有熟知世界重大变化的领导人。在此，我想说一下，世界上许多国家羡慕中国，因为她的领导人富有智慧和远见。邓小平先生是一位非常伟大的人物，多亏了他的引导，中国成功地克服了困难，因而在人类要面对崭新的21世纪时，取得了十分重要的地位。

　　由于我本人是中西合璧的混血儿，介乎于两种文化之间，因而一贯地认为，促进世界上各民族之间的理解，乃是十分自然的事。思考方法之歧异，不应导致仇恨和排斥，而是应该学习和努力理解。我身体力行，只是遵循中国古代哲学而已：四海之内皆兄弟也。

*One Student Is Just Like a Flower

#一人一朵花

My dear Mr. and Misses, my fellows schoolmates,

  Good morning! As you know and see, it is a sunny bump harvest season. In the city, in our school campus, everywhere is surrounded with roses which we together planted 4 years ago. Today may these roses and our friendship as well be together and comfort our excited hearts!

  It was four years ago that everyone of us came from every part of China and formed a new collective. As we are young, it's very easy for us to communicate. It was in the past four years that we were ambitious. It was in the past four years that we worried. It was in the past four years that we were content. It was in the past four years that we were vexed. It was in the past four years that we were friendly and lonely ... and it was in the past fours that we studied, lived and respected each other with genuine and with our ambitions. Nothing in the world is more significant than we miss all of these.

  We miss you─teachers who are tireless in teaching; we will keep your gestures and your white hairs in our hearts deeply; we will miss the quietness with the lights at night in the classroom; we will miss the race and exercise on the playground; we will miss even the crowds in the dining hall and the quarrel on the beds; we will still miss every green piece and every piece of waste paper flying like flakes in the air ... However, today we will leave nothing but the first rose with our Alma Mater and our teachers which is entrusted with our love and respect.

  4 years seems very long but 4 years seems very short. From now on, we all will go into the society. The society is broad and wide for us. We will shoulder heavy responsibilities; we will work diligently; and we will expect to be informed of good news from one another. Now, I beg you all to cherish the occasion; to remember the names, the status, appearance and the character of the person around you. Now let's be hand in hand together; let's present the rose to each other. May the rose carry our appreciation and blessing! We are very closely linked no matter what the world may be. May the fresh rose in our hands keep its fragrants!

  Thank you all again!

学友们：

　　大家都瞧见了，这是一个阳光灿烂的收获季节。在这座城市，在我们的校园，到处都是玫瑰朵朵，这是4年前我们共同栽培的。今天，就让鲜花和友情聚拢，安抚我们激动不已的心吧！

　　4年前，大家从天南海北来到这里，组成了一个新的集体。年轻的心是最容易相通的，尽管4年中有追求有失落，有得意有烦恼，有欢乐有忧虑，有友爱有孤寂......但我们都曾怀着真诚而美好的初衷去学习、生活、相爱，没有什么比这些更有意义，更令我们怀念。

　　我们怀念每一位诲人不倦的老师，你们的手势或白发会刻在我们的记忆中；怀念教室里的静夜苦读，运动场上的奔跑跳跃，甚至食堂里的拥挤和高低床上的争论；怀念每一块绿地和每一片风中飘零的废纸......今天，我们没有更好的礼物留下，这第一朵玫瑰，就献给我们的母校和老师，她寄托着大家的热爱和敬意！

　　4年很久，4年也很匆匆。以后的日子，大家又要飞，天高地阔，任重道远，我们将在躬身的劳作中和奉献中等候着彼此的好消息。现在，请珍惜和永远记住这一时刻，记住你左边和右边的任何一个人吧，记住他（她）们的姓名、仪表和特点，请让我们彼此握手，彼此赠佩一朵玫瑰，让她表达我们的感谢和祝福。不管地老天荒，我们彼此息息相关，我们的手指上永远保留着赠人鲜花的芳香！

　　谢谢大家！

@Inaugural Speech

就职演讲欣赏

*A New Head Teacher's Address to His Class

#新任班主任对同学的讲话

My dear fellow boys and girls, my friends,

  When I stand before the teacher's desk, or, I would rather say when I stand on the stage, it seems to me that the purple curtains of both sides are drawing open gently. And on this occasion a play full of vigor is on its way. To my extreme happiness, you all, Class Two of Senior Grade One will perform the play who, I think, will be loyal to your performers each. The play may be one of the longest plays in the world, because it will last three years till your whole period of senior grade.

  Because of all these, I would like to be a warm-hearted announcer. I would like to take the opportunity to declare that the play by Class Two Senior Grade One begins.

  Above all, I think, as a head teacher of your class, I should be a well-qualified director. I am eager to direct plays full with modern atmosphere. The key tune will be unity, intentness, earnestness and liveliness. The main contents will be comprehension, friendship and love each other, pioneering and creativity. The main story will be the love of collective and collective of love. As a director, I will carefully design attractive plots, typical characters and striking stories for all of you. Now today every one of you present shows us your own brilliance as you can.

  The stage belongs to you. Of course you are the leading roles. I will be willing to be a supporting actor and try what I can to serve you all. I will share the enjoyment of your success silently.

  Moreover, I will be willing to be a pious audience who would like to smile, tear, and applause for your wonderful performances. I will be willing to shake hands with you all with heartfelt words: Congratulate you on your success.

  When you say goodbye to your middle school life in the end in the three years and when you ascend the stage of life, you will feel greatly that what you get from the class are so valuable to you. What an unforgettable period of your life you have in the class!

  After three years when our curtains of the class close, I would like to hear your remark on my work; Mr. Lie, you are our qualified director as well as a very good supporting actor, and you are still the audience we all like.

  Thank you for your applause. From you applause I can see your comprehension and support, although the curtain just begins.

  Let me wish to have our smooth and successful cooperation!

亲爱的同学们、朋友们：

　　当我站在这讲台上，不，应当说是舞台上，我似乎觉得两侧的紫色帷幕缓缓拉开，最富有生气的戏剧，就要开始了。最令我兴奋的是，这戏剧拥有一群忠于自己角色的演员，那就是高一（2）班的全体成员！这戏剧也许是人世间最长的了，因为要持续三年时间，那是整个高中阶段。

　　为此，我愿意做一名热情的报幕员，此时此刻向观众宣布：高一（2）班的戏剧开始了！

　　我想，我这个班主任首先应该是一名合格的导演，我渴望导出充满时代气息的戏剧来：团结、紧张、严肃、活泼是它的主调；理解、友爱、开拓、创新是它的主要故事。作为导演，我将精心设计出生动的情节、典型的角色、迷人的故事奉献给所有的演员──今天在座的每一位，但你们要最大程度地开发你们的才华。

　　这舞台是你们的，你们是当然的主角，我心甘情愿地做一名配角，尽我的力量竭诚为主角服务、效劳。而在你们成功的演出中，我只想默默地分享一点点成功的快慰。

　　不仅如此，我还要做一名最虔诚的观众，为你们精彩的演出微笑、流泪、鼓掌、欢呼，我愿意握住每一个人的手，诚心诚意地道一句：祝贺你的成功。

　　三年之后，当你们最后与自己的中学时代告别，将要登上人生的大舞台时，你们会深深地感到，这小舞台所给予你的一切是多么珍贵，这是一段多么难忘的人生旅途。

　　三年之后，当我们高一（2）班的戏剧舞台徐徐落下帷幕的时候，我愿意听到你们这样评价我的工作：列老师，你是我们满意的导演，也是一名不错的配角，更是我们喜欢的观众。

　　谢谢大家的掌声，从掌声中我感到了你们的理解和支持，虽然序幕刚刚拉开。

　　预祝我们的合作顺利、成功！

*Second Inaugural Address by Abraham Lincoln March 4, 1865

#林肯第二次就职演说（1865年3月4日）

Fellow-Countrymen:

  At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of his great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

  On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it; all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, urgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war-seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came. One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. Their slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must need be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comet." If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern there in any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away? Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago so still it must be said "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

  With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the might, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

各位同胞：

　　在这第二任就职的宣誓典礼上，不必像在第一任的时候那样做一个长篇的演说。在那时，对于当时所采取的政策多少作一点详细的说明，自然是适当的。现在四年任期届满，对于眼前这场为全国所关注并占用了全国力量的重大斗争的每一重要关头和方面，这四年已不断地发出公告，所以现在很少有什么新的发展可以奉告。我们的军事进展，为其他一切问题的关键所在，而各界人士对其情形和我同样了解，我深切相信，进展的状况可以使我们全体人民满意和信任。所以对于将来既然可以寄予极大的希望，那么我们在这一方面就用不着做什么预测了。

　　在四年前同一个场合里，所有的思虑都焦急地指向于一场即将来临的内战。大家害怕它，想尽办法避免它。当正在这里就职演说的时候，尽心尽力地为了使联邦不再用战争手段而能保存，然而，城内叛变分子的内奸却在设法不用战争来破坏联邦，在设法瓦解联邦，而以谈判的方法来分割联邦。双方都声称反对战争，可是有一方宁愿打仗而不愿意让国家生存。另一方则宁可接受打这场仗，也不愿国家灭亡，于是战争就来临了。

　　我们全国人口的八分之一是黑奴，他们不是遍布于全联邦，而是局部地分布于南方。这些奴隶构成了一种奇特而有力的权益。大家知道大体上这种权益就是这场战争的原因。为了使这种权益加强，永久不变，而且予以扩大，叛变分子曾不惜用战争来分裂联邦，而政府则只要限制这种权益而使之区域化，并没有再多要求别的权利。当初，任何一方都没有想到战争会弄到目前这么大的范围和这么长的时间，也没有料想到冲突的原因会随冲突本身的终止而终止，甚至会在冲突本身终止以前而终止。双方都在寻求一个较为容易的胜利，都没有期盼一个基本和惊人的结果。双方念诵同样的圣经，祈祷同一个上帝，甚至每一方都求助神的援助以反对另一方。任何人都可以要求上帝的帮助，来夺取他人用血汗得来的面包，这似乎很奇怪。可是我们不要批评别人，免得我们双方的祈祷都不能够如愿，而且也没有全部如愿过。上帝自有他自己的主宰。"由于罪恶，世界才会遭受苦难。因为罪恶总是要有的，然而那个制造罪恶的人，要受苦难。"假使我们以为美国的奴隶制度是这个过错的一种，而这些过错在上帝的领域里在所难免，但既已经持续了他所指定的一段时间，他现在要清洗这些过错。同时，假使我们以上帝的名义让双方从事这惨烈的战争，作为对那引起这一过错的人的惩罚，我们可以认为这件事，与虔诚供奉一个存在的上帝的信徒们归功于他的那些圣德，并无差异。我们怀着深挚的爱来盼望，我们怀着热忱来祈祷，希望这战争的重罚可以很快地过去。可是，假使上帝要让战争再继续下去，一直等到250年来无偿劳力所聚积的财富化为乌有，等到鞭打所流的每一滴血，为用刀剑所流的每一滴血所偿付，那么我们也只好像三千年前所说的那样。"主的裁判是完全真实而且公道的。"

　　我们不对任何人怀有丝毫恶意，我们对任何人都抱着好感，上帝令我们看到哪一边是对的，就坚定地信仰对的一边，让我们继续奋斗完成我们正在进行的工作──去治疗国家的创伤，去照顾英勇作战的志士和他的遗属，去从事一切的努力以达成并维护在我们自己之间和我国与各国之间的一个公平而持久的和平.