hmmm..I guess Washington was a ‘traitor’ too, then since he I am sure violated some sort of oath of loyalty toward the British Crown, over the ‘outdated’ notions of liberty, freedom, and loyalty toward his fellow citizens and God??
The Founding Fathers knew, and accepted, that they were engaged in treason and rebellion against the British Crown. They made no pretense that what they were doing was legal under British law. Their rebellion was based on man's natural right to overthrow tyrants. However, the Founding Fathers knew what their fate would have been if they'd lost their rebellion- a short rope and a long drop.
In comparison, the Southern leadership made the ridiculous claim that their rebellion was somehow legal under the Constitution. When they lost, they were treated with much more restraint than probably any losing side of a rebellion in history, certainly with more restraint and forgiveness than King George would have shown to the Founding Fathers.