Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang - a shining example of patriotism

(Baonghean.vn) - Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang is one of the typical examples of patriotism, love for the people, and upholding the spirit of great solidarity for the highest interests of the nation.

Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang was born on October 1, 1876 in a Confucian family in Thang Binh, Tien Canh, Tien Phuoc, Quang Nam province - a locality with a tradition of patriotism and studiousness.

In 1900, he passed the provincial exam first and in 1904 he passed the national exam first. He was a good student, passed the exam with high marks and became famous early, but Mr. Huynh did not become an official because, according to him: The country was lost, the court had completely surrendered to foreign invaders.

The life and career of Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang, former Acting President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, with his outstanding contributions to the revolutionary cause of the nation in many fields, especially during the period when he participated in the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam led by President Ho Chi Minh, is one of the indelible marks in the modern history of Vietnam.

Uncle Ho, Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang in the first government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

In the vibrant atmosphere of patriotic movements of the people against the domination and oppression of feudal colonialism, Mr. Huynh met like-minded friends such as: Phan Boi Chau, Tran Quy Cap and that trio became the soul of the vibrant patriotic movement; imbued with reformist ideology and the peak was the anti-tax movement of poor farmers in the Central provinces. Fearing the power of the peasant masses, the French colonialists brutally suppressed and executed Tran Quy Cap, and pushed Phan Chau Trinh and Huynh Thuc Khang to Con Dao. Thirteen years later (1908 - 1921), Mr. Huynh was able to return to the mainland.

In 1925, the country's history witnessed important changes. One of those changes was when Nguyen Ai Quoc appeared in Guangzhou and founded the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association, the predecessor of today's Communist Party of Vietnam.

At that challenging time, Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang entered politics with the hope of using public activities within the legal framework of the colonial regime to gain democratic rights for the people. He participated in the campaign to elect the Central Vietnam House of Representatives, then won the election and was elected as the House President. However, after his petitions to amend a number of laws to reduce alcohol and salt taxes, popularize the national language, etc. were flatly rejected by the colonial government, Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang argued fiercely with the Central Vietnam Resident, then announced his resignation.

The Island Lord's Palace in 1912-1916 where Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang was chosen to work as a clerk in the office (Photo collected from the Internet).

Leaving politics, Huynh Thuc Khang gathered progressive people to establish the newspaper "Tieng Dan", published in Hue as a forum to continue the fight for press democracy.

Huynh Thuc Khang was an enthusiastic political activist. Therefore, when the August Revolution succeeded, despite his old age, after learning that President Ho Chi Minh was Nguyen Ai Quoc, Mr. Huynh went to the Capital at the invitation of President Ho Chi Minh with the intention of "just wanting to meet Uncle Ho to express a few opinions", but after only the first meeting, Mr. Huynh was completely convinced to stay and cooperate with the Revolutionary State not only because of President Ho Chi Minh's personal prestige but more than that, he believed in the political line for the great national cause of the Indochinese Communist Party of which he was the leader.

The August Revolution succeeded, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born facing enormous challenges: internal enemies, external enemies. The situation was "hanging by a thread". In that context, with the enthusiasm of a patriot, Mr. Huynh accepted President Ho's invitation to join the revolutionary government. With his great prestige, Mr. Huynh effectively contributed to the cause of national unity, crushing the divisive plots of hostile forces.

At his introduction to the National Assembly and taking on the responsibility of Minister of Interior of the coalition resistance government, Uncle Ho respectfully introduced Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang as "a virtuous and famous person that the entire nation knows".

Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang with the newspaper Tieng Dan.

To further expand the great national unity bloc "uniting all patriotic parties and non-partisan patriotic compatriots, regardless of class, religion, political tendency, or race" to strengthen the force to protect the revolutionary achievements, the National Union was established, and Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang, one of the founders, was elected as President.

In June 1946, President Ho Chi Minh visited France. He placed absolute trust in Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang when he handed over the position of Acting President to him with the advice: "With the unchanging, respond to all changes".

Despite his old age and poor health, the Acting President, under the leadership of the Communist Party, has fought with all his enthusiasm to maintain national sovereignty and independence against foreign powers and to stabilize the country's politics, contributing to preventing and crushing the provocative and destructive plots of reactionary forces, of which the On Nhu Hau case is a typical example.

Expressing his gratitude to the Acting President for taking on the work while he was away, President Ho said: “While I was away, thanks to the wise leadership of Acting President Huynh, the care of the National Assembly, the efforts of the Government, and the solidarity of the people, many difficult issues were resolved, and construction work also progressed.”

In November 1946, the danger of war was approaching, strengthening the great national unity bloc, cleaning up the government apparatus and the National United Front at this time became an extremely urgent issue.

The first National Assembly, the second session, took place from December 28 to November 9, 1946, and discussed and approved the first Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam as well as urgent policies to prepare for the resistance war. The National Assembly expressed its absolute confidence in President Ho Chi Minh and the new Government he established. Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang tried to refuse because of his old age and poor health, but President Ho Chi Minh convinced him with the great cause, so he tried to stay in the new Government.

Huynh Thuc Khang Memorial House in Tien Canh Commune, Tien Phuoc District, Quang Nam Province

In 1947, on behalf of the Central Government and the Lien Viet Front, Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang went on a tour of the Central region, visited the people, and inspected the preparations of local authorities for "national resistance" and "national resistance". On the way to work, Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang fell seriously ill and died in Quang Ngai on April 21, 1947, at the age of 71.

The whole country mourned him while the resistance war against the French was taking place fiercely. In his letter to the people, President Ho Chi Minh wrote: “Mr. Huynh was a man of great learning, strong will, and high morality. Because of his patriotism, he was previously punished by the colonialists and sent to Con Dao, where he spent more than ten years in hardship and suffering. However, Mr. Huynh’s loyalty and love for his country and people were not only unwavering, but also more determined. Mr. Huynh was a man whose heart was not shaken by wealth, nor discouraged by poverty, nor discouraged by power. All his life, Mr. Huynh did not care about fame, nor did he seek benefits, nor did he desire to become rich, nor did he desire to be an official. All his life, Mr. Huynh only fought for the freedom of the people and the independence of the country…”

President Ho Chi Minh's sincere and accurate assessment of Mr. Huynh Thuc Khang is an eternal monument, honoring the example of a true patriot, forever remembered by posterity. Uncle Ho's letter was widely spread in the army, conveying to the entire army the humanity, indomitable spirit, and unshakable determination to fight of Mr. Huynh and Uncle Ho.

Before passing away, Mr. Huynh also sent a call to all parties, intellectuals, and people to unite around President Ho Chi Minh to successfully carry out the cause of resistance and nation building.

Huynh Thuc Khang High School in Nghe An.

The 140th birthday anniversary of Acting President Huynh Thuc Khang comes at a time when our entire Party, people and army are actively implementing the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress and Directive 05-CT/TW of the 12th Politburo, dated May 15, 2016, on “Promoting the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle”. This is also an opportunity for us to review the life, career and great contributions of patriot Huynh Thuc Khang to the Vietnamese revolution; educate patriotism and the spirit of great national unity; encourage and motivate people of all walks of life to actively compete to successfully implement the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress.

In memory and deep gratitude for the great contributions of patriot Huynh Thuc Khang to the revolutionary cause of the nation, we vow to follow his example, study, cultivate and strive all our lives for the goal of a rich people, strong country, democracy, fairness and civilization.

Peace

(Synthetic)