To sound a theme of unity , Lincoln in 1864 ran under the banner of the National Union Party , rather than the Republicans . At the party 's convention in Baltimore in June , Lincoln was easily nominated , although there had been some talk of replacing him with a Cabinet officer or one of the more successful generals . After the convention backed Lincoln , former Secretary of War Simon Cameron offered a resolution to nominate Hamlin , but it was defeated . Johnson was nominated for vice president by C.M. Allen of Indiana with an Iowa delegate as seconder . On the first ballot , Johnson led with 200 votes to 150 for Hamlin and 108 for Dickinson . On the second ballot , Kentucky switched to vote for Johnson , beginning a stampede . Johnson was named on the second ballot with 491 votes to Hamlin 's 17 and eight for Dickinson ; the nomination was made unanimous . Lincoln expressed pleasure at the result , " Andy Johnson , I think , is a good man . " When word reached Nashville , a crowd assembled and the military governor obliged with a speech contending his selection as a Southerner meant that the rebel states had not actually left the Union
the party 's convention
1864 National Union National Convention
Andrew Johnson