The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-01-05
Speech from Gen. Beauregnrd.

the 29th ult., the following special
despatch was sent to the New York
Herald:
| The Congressional excursionists.
escorted by several of the citizens of
Memphis, departed on the regular
train of the Mississippiand Tennessee
Railroad, and on arriving at Canton
We're met by Gen. G.. T. .Bcauregard.
President of the New Orleans and
jackson Railroad. The General de-
ciared that he was IN favor of a con-
solldated Government. as the war
had settled the question OF State
rights, and that if it was in his power
ne would not restore the institution
OF slavery. In saying this he believed
he expressed the sentiments OF .hc
fighting men Of the South.
We have not received our New Or
LEAFS exchanges of q sufficiently late
date to ascertain whether the above
statement is correct, but We doubt it.
The following comments OF The
HcroC'G, although there is some ;r-tN
in them, most certainly nlisroprcsonts
the General:
They had been mel previously at
Canton. on the Mississippi and Ten
nessee Railroad, by General G. L.
Beauregard, President of the New
Orleans and jackson Railroad, whore
they listened to a speech from that
gentleman which must have caused
them as much surprise as the courtesy
which the Southern people every
where extended to them, in manner
unexpectedly frank and cordial. 1t
is fortunate for the interests OF the
country, North and South, on the eve
OF the assembling of Congress that the
risors of this inclement season have
not deferred these Congressional ex-
curslonlsts from making this tour
They set out under a strong convic-
ton that fierce desire to renew tho
late terrible conflict burned in
Southern bosons; that there are but
few ''Union men" scattered thinly
throughout that entire section.
against whom every system of perse-
cution was devised and directed bv
the majority of the people, under the
guidance OF those chiefs who so
recently led the armed hosts of the
extinct Confederacy to battle, and
that those chiefs are prepared to SO
lead them once more.
To cherish this wicked and mali
cious delusion, millions Of copies of
newspapers are daily distributed and
read by thc population of the North
ern and Western States, engenderinc
q hatred and spirit of vengeance
which strive, with, unhappiiy, too
much success, to find a vent in fur
ther and endless prosecutions of
ruined, helpless and misrepresented
people. At such a juncture, General
Beauregard's speech at Canton is
most opportune and important
Standing upon ground still moist
with fraternal blood. he tells the
national legislators that the South
has thrown behind her forever the
doctrines and principles for which she
fought so long and so obstinately
He tells them that he expresses the
sentiments OF the fighting men of the
South, when he says he favors con-
solldated Government; that the doc
trlne of State rights is buried out Of
sight, and that slavery can never be
re-established, even if the power to
do SO existed. General Beaurerard
is incapable of practicing a petty de-
ceit, and what he says may be relied
on. He is, moreover, Immensely
popular at the South, and as good a
mouth piece for those who recognize
his leadership as any man from the
Potomac to the Rio Grande.
We know that his speech made a
most favorable impression upon those
to whom he addressed it, and that
with the echo of his last word, there
arose IN their minds feelings of con-
fidence and Reinsurance. To this
Senator Wade bears testimony. TAX
ing, then, the character of the speak
er into consideration, we must be-
lieve that the maj jority of the Southern
people, the sense and sinew of that
section, are desirous of peace and
concord, and encourage no wild
dream of insurrection. If there be
any who think otherwise, the speech
of General Beauregard is calculated
to lead them to better thoughts. But
all the duties Of peace and good fell
lowship do not dcvolve upon the
South alone. The people of the North
have their share to perform. The
South has suffered Infinitely more.