Butler was a succcessful lawyer and an influential member of the democratic party up into the war. Lincoln definitely wanted to placate him. After the war, his fortunes waned. He was not back in office after the war. Late in his life he ran for president, but only got a miniscule part of the vote.
It's funny that due to this almost certainly bogus supposed conversation with President Lincoln, he is now the darling of the neo-reb brigade on FR.
I guess they forgive him for calling the ladies of Nawlins hookers and hanging the guy that pulled down the U.S. flag.
Walt
Quoting Butler certainly doesn't indicate any like or dislike for the man. He might have been known as "Beast" or "Spoons", but he was better than Sherman (spit). The lack of refutation is not proof of refutation.