The word can be used as a synonym for the highest form, ultimate betrayal. That is the sense in which I understood the original poster and the sense I used in my reply. I may be helpful to recall also that when the Founders were hotly debating the future of the country, accusations of nothing less than treason were quite common.
Subsequently, the Constitution specified which acts would be viewed as treasonous for the purpose of administering the law of the U.S. That is probably what you meant in your post. We are not in contradiction: the U.S. Constitution did not monopolize for itself the general use of the word "treason."
Interestingly enough John Brown was charged with and convicted of Treason for the raid and seizure of Harpers Ferry.
None of these matters are subject to prosecution for treason.
I do find it hilarious that the Know Nothings are upset with the possibility of ending the dollar’s role as a Reserve currency. One would suspect that they would be opposed to having it serve that role since it requires a greater expansion of monetary aggregates than would be the case if it was not serving in that role. Plus, it conflicts with the neo-isolationism and economic autarky they advocate.