Editing P. G. T. Beauregard (section)

==== 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"/>