I have difficulty honoring Robert E Lee, mainly for continuing a lost war once Lincoln was reelected. This not only sacrificed more lives, it continued the physical devastation of the South’s homeland. But the issue of treason has long been settled. Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, and even Stanton did not pursue the issue of treason against Southern combatants and leaders because to do so would result in continuation of the war by means that had been limited to Kansas and Missouri. The Union could never have controlled let alone pacified a South enflamed by prosecutions for treason. There would have been no reunion, and while this conquered state scenario would have pleased the likes of Thaddeus Stevens it would not have pleased the continued conscripts that would have been necessary to rule the South. Much better to welcome as brothers those who wore the Grey. So to those who claim Treason, in your own words, the issue has been settled. Move on!
I would like to tip my hat in regards to this matter to Gen. James Longstreet. Longstreet did all you could do to bring about reconciliation not just between North and South, but between Black and White. Longstreet’s last battle was defending the Black citizens of New Orleans from White paramilitaries and mob in the 1870’s.
And they'd have created, not a stronger and more tolerant Union, but a resentful occupied territory subject to endless guerrilla warfare.
And how would that have helped promote racial harmony?
fixed it.