National Union Convention

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The National Union Convention (also known as the Loyalist Convention, the Southern Loyalist Convention, or the National Loyalists' Loyal Union Convention) held on August 14, 15, and 16, 1866 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The convention was called in advance of the mid-year elections of 1866 in an attempt to bridge the increasingly acrimonious gap between the Radical Republicans and the Reconstruction policies of U.S. President Andrew Johnson. The goal of creating a new political party was not realized.

About 7,000 prominent politicians and activists attended. At the opening of the convention, men from Massachusetts and South Carolina paraded arm in arm to symbolize national reconciliation and social equity. The convention was called to order by Alexander Randall. General John Adams Dix served as the temporary chairman and James R. Doolittle served as permanent convention president.

In the end, the convention was not successful in unifying the country behind Johnson, and Johnson then launched a speaking tour (known as the "Swing Around the Circle") hoping to regain public and political support. On this speaking tour, Johnson at times attacked his Republican opponents with crude and abusive language and on several occasions appeared to have had too much to drink. Ultimately, the tour was a disaster for Johnson, emboldening the Congress to override him and to impeach him in 1868.

Notable attendees include:

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