Despite recent setbacks in the Western Theater of the war , the June 1864 National Union National Convention nominated Lincoln for president . Though Hamlin hoped to be re-nominated as vice president , the convention instead nominated Andrew Johnson , the military governor of Tennessee . Lincoln had refused to weigh in on his preferred running mate , and the convention chose to nominate Johnson , a Southern War Democrat , in order to boost the party 's appeal to Unionists of both parties . The party platform called for the unconditional surrender of the Confederacy , and also endorsed open immigration policies , the construction of a transcontinental railroad , and the establishment of a national currency
1864 National Union National Convention
1864 National Union National Convention
Presidency of Abraham Lincoln