gathering clouds and raging storms

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbears, and true to our founding documents.
四十四位美國人發表過總統就職誓言。這些誓詞的發表時機，或是在欣欣向榮及和平之際，或是在時局風雨如晦，動盪不已之時。美國之所以能夠安度此等艱困，不僅因為居高位者有能力或有遠景，更在於我們這些身為人民的能持續對先人的理想抱負有信心，也忠於創國的理念和法統。