The Crest spouter who referred to the Confederate soldiers as traitors to their country needs a history lesson. The original 13 colonies were traitors to the British Empire, but their treason begat our freedoms. Each state maintained a degree of autonomy as is clearly defined by the Constitution. When certain states decided to leave the Union, that was an ill-conceived and tragic mistake, but not treason. It was the North that invaded the South. Now, after 150 years, try a little reconciliation along with historical accuracy. They were all Americans and are all Americans again.