[BroJoeK]

man_in_tx: "Few things amuse me more than to hear advocates for the North declare the Confederacy a “foreign government,” and its followers traitors."

The Confederacy was never called a "foreign government", since it's legitimacy was never recognized by Unionists -- it was no "government" -- and the word "foreign" doesn't apply.

"Traitors" is a different question, since the US Constitution defines "treason" as:

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.
No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

"The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason..."

Yes, after the war, all was eventually forgiven, and nobody was tried as traitors.
But tell us, FRiend, which part of the word "treason" do you not understand?

[man_in_tx]

Yes, after the war, all was eventually forgiven, and nobody was tried as traitors.
But tell us, FRiend, which part of the word “treason” do you not understand?
/////////////

Well, FRiend, I will give you that Robert E. Lee, et al, were “traitors” to the US when you give me that George Washington, et al, were “traitors” to Great Britain.

We celebrate the right to secede from oppressive central Government.

In my view, the Confederates exercised precisely the same prerogative in choosing to secede from the Union that the original Thirteen Colonies did in choosing to secede from the King’s Realm.

Moreover, I have to ask you. What were the Yanks thinking when they actually FORGAVE a bunch of untrustworthy traitors? Answer? I honestly believe that down deep they knew these were no traitors. Subsequent history has borne out the wisdom of this decision (to drop any charges of treason).

Or, my short answer: Treason, my a$$.