Thu, Apr 06, 2000 page8

• Editorial: Goodbye to Chiang's legacy

  • • 
    • 
    • 

  On Tuesday, as most Taiwanese were rushing to finish up their own families' tomb-sweeping, President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) led the traditional pilgrimage of national leaders to the shrine -- note, not the grave, but only the "temporary resting place" before the proper burial in China -- to Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石). Coincidentally, the anniversary of Chiang's death, a quarter of a century ago, falls on the holiday traditionally reserved for honoring the dead.

  This was Lee's last trip to the shrine as president, and likewise the last trip for Lien Chan (連戰) and Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) while in office. As they stood together before the shrine with suitably grave looks, one wonders what was in their hearts. One may suppose that Lien and Siew were embarrassed and bitter, frustrated that their effort to succeed Lee/Chiang failed so miserably.

  Lee, on the other hand, might have had a somewhat different outlook, bidding "sorry and goodbye" to the generalissimo. Chiang, if his soul is indeed hovering somewhere over Tzuhu (慈湖), has just witnessed the final relegation of the KMT to opposition, which he had refused to countenance, despite catastrophic defeats and years of isolation. But the primary emotion in Lee's heart must have been relief, as the burden of pretending to be loyal to the late dictator has been lifted from his shoulders.

  For these rituals should not be seen as a harmless tradition. The obsequious public veneration of a deceased leader is unknown to democratic societies, smacking as it does of feudalism and the cult of personality. Furthermore, by involving all the government heads, the practice has symbolically epitomized the unhealthy intertwining between party and state in KMT-ruled Taiwan.

  Of course, these practices are standard in communist countries, where indeed Chiang and his cronies got the idea. But compared, for example, to the hold on the imagination that Mao Zedong (毛澤東) continues to have over the people of China, Chiang's memory inspires an unwholesome mixture of hate, fear and ridicule in most Taiwanese.

  Fortunately, this is the last time we will need to witness this sad spectacle. It is obvious that Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) will not go to Tzuhu. Nor, presumably, without his lead, will the new Cabinet or the heads of the five Yuans. In the future, except for Chiang's relatives, the only people who will bother to make the trip will be those who are consciously striving to wrap themselves in Chiang's mantle.

  There are other and more appropriate ways for Taiwan's modern leaders to behave than perpetuating personality cults. One of the national ceremonies that is appropriate for a head of state is the honoring of those who died in that state's service. This is what Chen did yesterday at the Martyrs' Shrine (忠烈祠).

  Chen's visit was optional this time, but it won't be after May 20, and it was probably a shrewd move, to continue both the process of accustoming the public to seeing him acting "presidential," as well the placation of the mainlanders, whose legacy the Martyrs' Shrine primarily memorializes.

  Nonetheless, it was still surprising to see him there, mouthing praises for the "revolutionary martyrs" without whom the Ching Dynasty would never have been overthrown and the Republic of China established. Never before has a DPP leader expressed such sentiments. Chen delivered them as a schoolboy recites a speech he has been forced to memorize, but he did so dutifully. After all, he always was a good student. Now he has the biggest assignment of all -- learning how to be the leader of the country. So far his studies are progressing nicely.
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Cancelations announced as sea warning issued for Typhoon Fung-wong

  • 2

    Jokic’s 55 point pays off for Nuggets

  • 3

    Fung-wong approaches Taiwan, batters Philippines

  • 4

    Thousands evacuated ahead of storm

  • 5

    Detroit Pistons win streak hits seven