He was quite unpopular with
the people of the North when he entered the Senate, partly
from the fact that some of his kindred had been zealous Southern
champions before the War, at the time of some very bitter
sectional strifes, and because he was charged with having
been the leader and counsellor in some violent and unlawful
conduct toward the colored people after the War. I have not
investigated the matter. But I believe the responsibility
for a good deal of what was ascribed to him belonged to another
person of the same name. But the Republicans of the Senate
came to esteem and value Senator Butler very highly. He deserves
great credit, among other things, for his hearty and effective
support of the policy of enlarging the Navy, which, when he
came into public life, was feeble in strength and antiquated
in construction. With his departure from the Senate, and
that of his colleague, General Wade Hampton, ended the power
in South Carolina of the old gentry who, in spite of some
grave faults, had given to that State an honorable and glorious
career. When the Spanish War broke out, General Butler was
prompt to offer his services, although he had lost a leg in
the Civil War.
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