America is strong and will survive great divisions

Jim Splaine
| Columnist

March 30, 1981, on a warm early spring day in Concord, I was in the New Hampshire State House when we heard that President Ronald Reagan had been shot. We gathered around a television in the hallway and listened to the bleak news. I was a senator at the time, but we were not Democrats or Republicans at that moment, just Americans.

This past weekend, as I was tying tomato plants to stakes, I heard that former President Donald Trump had been shot. Just as I had decades earlier, I felt a sense of worry and fear—worry about how bad the shooting might be, and fear about what it might mean for our country.

At such a time, we are not Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives. At such times, history has proven that as a nation and as a people, we are strong and we will survive.

Only fools rejoice in the event of violence or the attempted division it can cause. America has survived division in the past. Our early years as a new country were not easy. While the Civil War our country endured more than 150 years ago resolved some of our early differences, including those surrounding slavery, other wounds of racism remained open. But we survived because America is strong.

There was division among Americans over our participation in two world wars. Then we suffered for a number of years under McCarthyism. The latter part of our last century saw intense divisions over civil rights and whether or not a war in Vietnam was noble. But we survived and America was strong.

There are examples of past presidential elections in our history books that describe great division among our citizens, as well as assassination attempts, even successful ones. But we survived and our citizens showed that America is strong.

Like millions of others, I watched the debate between President Joe Biden and former President Trump last month, hoping they would meet center stage and shake hands. That didn’t happen then, but last week we saw grace and dignity in the phone calls between Biden and Trump, and Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance.

That gives us hope that when they meet in debate in the coming months, we will see handshakes and respect. They can passionately debate their differences on issues and their visions for our future, and in the process, they can remind us that we are America Strong.

In the coming weeks, with potential dangers, political candidates for all offices will risk their lives speaking at large gatherings. America needs the courage of our candidates, and democracy demands that we see them in person.

There is nothing more important on this planet than how we treat each other. In politics and government, that means focusing on our commonality as humans. Then we can disagree on issues and solutions instead of things that divide us as people. That makes us a better America.

We will be OK. There is reason to have faith in America, and a shared optimism in our democratic process. In the decades to come, young Americans who are not yet born will learn about the 2024 election. Let’s make them proud of how we acted. Show them American Strong.

Today’s quotes: “At this time, it is more important than ever that we stand united and show our true character as Americans, remain strong and determined, and not allow evil to win.” — Former President Donald J. Trump, Sunday, July 14, 2024.

“You know, we’re blessed to live in the greatest country on Earth. And I believe that with every soul — every core of my being. What has made America so special? Here in America, everyone wants to be treated with dignity and respect, and hate should have no safe harbor.” — President Joe Biden, Monday, July 15, 2024

For our thoughts: “Oh, when will you ever learn? Oh, when will you ever learn?” – lyrics by Pete Seeger, 1955, in “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” sung by The Kingston Trio, 1961; Peter, Paul and Mary, 1962; Joan Baez, 1965, and several other artists.

Since 1969, Jim Splaine has served as a New Hampshire State Senator for six years, a state representative for 24 years, a member of the Police Commission and School Board, an assistant mayor of Portsmouth for 12 years, and a city councilman for 18 years. He can be reached at [email protected]. (This is a new email address.)