State Senator Phil King | The Senate of Texas Official Website
State Senator Phil King | The Senate of Texas Official Website
On Saturday, the nation was shocked and angered by an assassination attempt on President Trump in Pennsylvania. "Terry and I are so grateful that God saw fit to spare the life of our 45th President," a resident expressed.
After returning from church, another individual felt compelled to write a letter to their children about the situation. They recalled the words of Thomas Paine from 1776: "These are the times that try men’s souls." The Declaration of Independence had been signed in July, but the Revolutionary War was not progressing well, with victory far from assured.
Earlier that year, Paine published "Common Sense," inspiring colonists by articulating the call for independence. By autumn, General Washington shared with Paine that troops needed a morale boost. Paine retreated to Philadelphia and wrote "The American Crisis," which included:
"These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated."
The writer believes current times are similarly perilous: "Violence rules our streets... over 100 people were shot in Chicago over the Fourth of July weekend! Our borders are open... Fentanyl is a leading killer... We have a national debt with numbers too large to apprehend."
Reflecting on Saturday's events, they stated: "Yet God in his providence ensured that the bullet aimed for President Trump did not succeed." They believe Donald Trump will win in November and implement beneficial policies.
"God established this nation and has sustained it over three centuries," they continued. As America approaches its 250th anniversary as a free republic, they concluded: "These are again 'times that try men’s souls,' yet we must not be 'summer soldiers' or 'sunshine patriots.' Let us resolve ourselves to be light to the world and strong warriors for what is right."
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