再造蔡锷——试论蔡锷形象的建构与变迁(1916-1945)

Reconstruction on Cai-E

蔡锷因护国之功被时人誉为"再造共和"的"护国军神"。这一称谓在不同的时期有不同的侧重点,北洋时期主要着重在"再造共和"方面。北洋政府主动参与到塑造和构建蔡锷"再造共和"伟人的行动中去,同时以孙中山为代表的国民党人也积极参与到纪念活动中来,与北洋系争夺革命正统继承者的地位。两大派系的争夺,从侧面反映出民主共和已经成为二十世纪中国的历史潮流这一主题,通过对蔡锷纪念的参与,表达着自身对"共和"精神的理解。而到南京国民政府时期则有了新的变化,侧重于"护国军神"的宣传。蔡锷形象中"再造共和"的意义被弱化,在外敌入侵导致严重民族危机的情境之下,"护国军神"的内涵被发掘和重新塑造。

Cai-E was known as 'the god of protecting the country' in that he 'rebuilded republica' in 1915. The appellation has different connotations in different periods. During Beiyang Warlord period, it concentrated on 'rebuilding the republica'. The Beiyang government involved actively in shaping and constructing Cai-E as the great man in 'rebuilding the republica'. And at the same time, Sun Yat-sen, a representative of the KMT, also participated actively in the memorial activities, and tried to become the heir of orthodox status in the revolution. The fighting of the two factions reflected that the theme 'democracy and republicanism' had become the trend of Chinese history in the twentieth century, and expressed their understandings of 'republican' spirit through participating in Cai-E's memorial movements. While during the period of Nanking National Government, the importance was focused on the propaganda of 'the god of protecting the country' and the meaning of 'rebuilding the republica' faded. When in the situation of serious national crisis caused by foreign invasion, the meaning of 'the god of protecting the country' was re-discovered.