Because it was included by the founding fathers and is considered a particularly heinous crime committed against the population of the entire nation, and not just a single individual or small group.
Treason
The constitution does not really define what a high crime is, however scholars agree that bribery, perjury and treason all constitute a high crime.
Kind of: "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, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted." US Constitution Article 3 Section 3
it set high standards for treason convictions
I assume you mean what part of The Constitution Article Three: Section Three "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, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted."
The only crime defined by the United States Constitution is treason. In order to convict a person of treason, you must have at least two witnesses.
Try
The only crime specifically mentioned in the Constitution is "treason". The Constitution is suitably vague on other crimes, merely referring to the possibility of "high crimes and misdemeanors". This allows some flexibility for interpretation - which is exactly what the writers intended.
"Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." (I didn't plagorize, I used quotes)
Nearly everything we see in the U.S. Constitution was in response to an abuse by the British government. The issue with treason under British rule was that treason was anything that the king did not like. Many personal enemies of the king were executed under "treason." This is why the founding fathers wanted to define and limit the act of treason.
treason
Treason
The constitution does not really define what a high crime is, however scholars agree that bribery, perjury and treason all constitute a high crime.
Defines treason and the rules for punishment if someone is convicted of treason.
Treason is the only crime defined in the Constitution.The US Constitution, in Article I, Section 5 mentions treason and "breach of the peace."Section 8 mentions "counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States" and "piracies and felonies committed on the high seas."Article II, Section 4 mentions treason and bribery.Article III, Section 3 defines treason against the United States as "only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort."
Treason.
treason