Sun Yat-sen, the great pioneer of China's democratic revolution, is honored as the "father of the country" of the Republic of China. This not only reflects the sincere admiration and love of hundreds of millions of people for the founder of the Republic of China who "overthrew autocracy and made peace", but also stems from a special decree of the National Government.

At the turn of 1930s and 1940s, the Chinese nation was in the most difficult period in War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. When the country was in danger and forced by public opinion, the Kuomintang authorities had to cheer up. 1 April 9401day (March 29th), Nanjing National Government ordered the whole country to call Sun Yat-sen "the father of the country" from now on. This announcement, with a full text of about 300 words, is concise and clear, and generally refers to-

"The Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang sent a letter to Mr. Sun, the Chief Executive Yuan of our party, leading the national revolution, creating the Republic of China, innovating the political system, consolidating the foundation of the world, seeking international equality, and making great achievements. All my nationals who are far away from their homeland should be respected. The Standing Committee of the Central Executive Committee unanimously decided at the 103 meeting to respect the Prime Minister as the father of the Republic of China, and accordingly recorded the case to the state government. Such as this reason, since it should be clear, just do the order back, turn to it, and follow it. This order. "

It is said that this document of the Kuomintang authorities is to "arouse the patriotic consciousness of Chinese people at home and abroad and the national spirit of uniting against enemy aggression, and strengthen the will of the people throughout the country." It should be said that this move does have certain positive significance. Because of this, Dr. Sun Yat-sen was awarded the title of "Father of the Nation" of the Republic of China in the form of national decrees.

It is worth mentioning that in recent years, some researchers believe that as early as four years before the Nanjing National Government publicly applied for issuing the above notice, someone had taken the lead in solemnly proposing Sun Yat-sen as the "father of the country". The initiator was Lin Sen, a senior veteran of the Kuomintang and then chairman of the National Government. 1936 1 1 month, Lin Sen made a speech at the conference to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth. He said:

"The Prime Minister was born in 1866, that is, on October 6th in the first 46 years of the Republic of China. The Gregorian calendar is 1 1 month 12, and the founding father of the Republic of China was born. This is a memorable day for us ... when he was elected as the first president in the first year of the Republic of China, in order to promote the reunification of the North and the South and adhere to the concept that the world is for the public, he did not hesitate to show his pride and resign as president. This great spirit is not easy to see in the history of China and foreign countries, so people all over our country respect the Prime Minister as the father of our country ... Everyone knows the greatness of our father's personality ... "

Lin Sen mentioned "Father of the Nation" three times in this speech. Although Sun Yat-sen had been honored as the "father of the country" on a few unusual occasions before, this time, as the head of state, Lin Sen praised him with such fanfare on an unusual solemn occasion for the first time. Therefore, it is particularly eye-catching and has a special political weight.

Lin Sen (1867- 1943) is a native of Minhou, Fujian. Follow Sun Yat-sen in his early years and join in the democratic revolution. From the era of the League to the reorganization of the Kuomintang, he has always been a capable backbone that Dr. Sun Yat-sen relied on. His qualification as a representative of the "First National Congress" of the Kuomintang was personally appointed by Sun Yat-sen.. 1932 1 month, Lin sen was promoted to the position of chairman of the national government. 1943 died of an unfortunate car accident in August, serving for 12 years. In his condolence telegram to Tomlinson funeral committee, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China praised him for "leading the anti-Japanese war and making contributions to the country".