唐锡晋与晚清义赈

义赈是晚清国运衰颓时由江南士大夫发起实施的新的灾荒救济形式,体现了一批中下级官员和在野士大夫的政治抱负和经世能力。唐锡晋在晚清义赈中以血缘关系为基础形成了运转高效灵活的指挥中枢,同时他还利用血缘关系、地缘关系以及职业关系,为义赈提供物资、人员等多方面的保证。唐锡晋投身义赈达三十七年,历地八省五十一州县,以坚持时间之久与跋涉地域之广而享誉朝野,并在死后获得民国政府的隆重褒奖,他的义赈经历在晚清义赈主体中具有比较广泛的代表性。

Tang Xi-jin and Disaster-relief in late Qing Dynasty

Yizhen,or disaster-relief,was a form of charity famine relief organized by the gentries in the areas south to the Yangtze river during late Qing dynasty when the nation was declining day and day,which showed middle or low officers' political ambition and ability to manage social affairs.Tang Xi-jin,a low education officer,through kindred,regional relationship and social ties,professional links,etc.raised donated money and food as well as trained volunteers.Tang' s Yizhen action covered eight provinces from 1875 to 1912,and hence Tang enjoyed a high reputation among both officials and populaces and was posthumously awarded many prizes and fames by the government of the Republic of China.Tang's experience embodied quite general features of Yizhen in late Qing dynasty.