归国留学生对清末预备立宪的参与和影响

The Participation and Impact of Returned Overseas Students on Preparation of Constitutionalism in the Late Qing Dynasty

清末的预备立宪不仅是清末新政时期的主要内容,更是中国政治制度史上的巨大变革,是中国有史以来第一次试图希望通过平稳有序的政治体制改革,结束中国几千年的封建专制、建立君主立宪现代国家的尝试。在此过程中,归国的留学生们尤其是留日学生受命任职于清廷宪政编查馆等部门,参与了清末新政最敏感的预备立宪工作,起草了《丙午官制改革草案》《咨议局及资政院章程》《内阁官制与弼德院官制草案》《宪法大纲》《大清宪法草案》等多种立宪文件和重要的法规。虽然因为种种原因,预备立宪最终功败垂成,但是其历史意义和留学生们的工作却不能简单、完全否定,今天则应科学地总结和反思这份难得的历史遗产。

Preparation of Constitutionalism in the late Qing Dynasty was not only the main part of new policy, but also important reform in Chinese political system history. It was the first time in Chinese history that through the smooth and orderly political system reform that feudal despotism can be ended and a modern constitutional monarchy government can be founded. During this time, returned overseas students, especially from Japan, were appointed to work in such departments as Constitutional Compilation Bureau and took part in the sensible preparation of Constitutionalism of the new policy of late Qing Dynasty. They drafted many Constitutionalism documents and important laws and regulations as Heigo reform bill, the articles of association of the Advisory Council and the Advisory Council, the cabinet official and Bi de court official draft, Constitutional outline, Draft constitution, etc. Although for certain reasons, preparation of Constitutionalism failed in the end, its historical significance and the contribution by overseas students cannot be simply and totally denied. Our job today is to scientifically summarize and reflect this valuable historical heritage.