He engaged at once in political strife.

During the canvass against the President's policy in 1866 he went through the country, it may with truth be said, at the head of a triumphal procession.

He was received everywhere with a remarkable display of enthusiasm, and was fortunate in commending himself to the good will of the most radical section of the Republican party.

He naturally affiliated with that side because it never was General Butler's habit to be moderate in the advocacy of any public policy.

When he was a Democrat he sustained the extreme Southern wing of the party with all his force and zeal; and when the course of his political associates pointed to a disruption of the Government he turned upon them with savage hostility, declared without hesitation for the support of the Union, offered his services as a soldier, and was constantly in the vanguard of those who demanded the most aggressive and most destructive measures in the prosecution of the war.