Editing P. G. T. Beauregard (section)

=== Shift toward acceptance ===

==== Political views during the Reconstruction Era ====
[[File:Harpers1874LouisianaOutrage Colorized.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|The [[Battle of Liberty Place]], September 14, 1874]]

In the years following the beginning of Reconstruction, Beauregard's opinions changed. Unlike other ex-Confederates, his economic situation improved, and his native home of Louisiana seemed soon to be redeemed from the Reconstruction Period. Beauregard played a prominent vocal role in Louisiana during Reconstruction, and he began writing many letters, gave interviews, and made speeches about almost every issue of that time.<ref name="Williams, p. 266"/>

In March 1867, [[Radical Republicans]] enforced black suffrage but, when many Southerners became angry and resistant, Beauregard wrote a widely published letter advising Southerners to accept the new situation. He said that the South could either submit or resist, and common sense made it clear that resistance was futile.<ref name="Williams, pp. 277–279">Williams, pp. 277–279.</ref>

[[File:Caesar Antoine (circa 1873).jpg|thumb|[[Caesar Antoine]], Creole Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana]]

Beauregard sought to end the bickering between the Democrats and the Republicans; he felt that by encouraging the cooperation of the races through voting, a better future could be created for the South. His pragmatic change of opinion was exemplified when he argued that emancipated blacks were native to the South, and that all they needed was education and property to take an active interest in Southern politics.<ref name="Williams, pp. 277–279"/>

====1868 post-war interview====
In 1868, while Beauregard was vacationing at [[White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia]], [[Robert E. Lee]] invited him to a resort, along with other famous Confederates, as well as [[William Rosecrans|William S. Rosecrans]], a former [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] general and politician. The purpose of the meeting was to combat the Republican charge that the mostly-Democratic Southerners could not be trusted to deal justly with emancipated blacks. The result of the meeting was a document, signed by the parties present, including Beauregard, stating that the South would accept the results of the war and emancipation, and that they felt kindly towards emancipated blacks, albeit there was opposition to their exercising of political power.<ref>Williams, pp. 279–280.</ref>

Rosecrans gave an interview upon returning to the north and described Lee's efforts as somewhat weak but that Lee was a sincere man. When asked if Beauregard was weak, Rosecrans responded: "By the side of Lee, certainly. Take him alone, however, and he strikes you as quick, ready and incisive — well, a man of the world, a good business character, a smart active Frenchman. But with Lee he dwindles. Lee says shut the door, and Beauregard shuts the door." When asked by the interviewer if the Southern generals would really allow freed slaves to vote, Rosecrans responded: "Lee will not, probably, but Beauregard will. He is in favor of it and so expressed himself to me."<ref>Williams, pp. 280–281.</ref>

====Abraham Lincoln====
Beauregard became a deep admirer of [[Abraham Lincoln]]. In 1889, he was personally invited by the president of the [[Lincoln Memorial League]] to participate in ceremonies at [[Springfield, Illinois]] that were honoring Abraham Lincoln. Beauregard wanted to go, but he was unfortunately unable to make the trip. He replied regretfully that he would be present in spirit to pay homage. Beauregard wrote the following in regards to Abraham Lincoln:<ref>Williams, p. 272.</ref>

{{blockquote|To the memory of a great & good man: at his untimely taking off, his life was invaluable;... His life was of extraordinary importance to the country he served so well, with a clear intellect- and loved so profoundly, with a big & guileless heart.}}