We knew it would be an emotional issue. But we did not realize how one-sided the vote would be on last week’s Progress Poll question.

We asked, “Should the Confederate Flag be completely removed from the Statehouse grounds, and 82 percent of those responding voted “No.”

Some felt removing the flag completely was just the next step in a long process.

“First they kept the flag from flying on top of the Statehouse; now they want to remove it from the Statehouse grounds completely. Where will it end?” one reader asked. “Will they make it illegal for us to put flowers on the graves of Confederate soldiers?”

Another noted that the issue of slavery was a problem long before the Civil War.

“Slavery existed for about 80 years under the United States flag, and about five years under the Confederate flag,” he wrote. “Do we need to get rid of the Stars and Stripes, to avoid it offending anybody?”

Another voter said the flag represents the soldiers who died defending their homeland.

“That flag shows respect for the everyday soldier who actually fought in the war,” he wrote. “Not the fools who started it. Most of your soldiers were poor folks who probably worked in the fields with the slaves. Those rich enough to own slaves and plantations didn’t have to fight.”

Those voting on the other side were less vocal, but very direct with their opinions.

“This is so silly,” one voter wrote. “Do we have a British flag displayed on the Statehouse grounds, because this state was once a colony? Of course not. The flag and the war should remain a part of the past.”

Another voter, who didn’t mention which way he voted, seemed to think a compromise is possible.

“I didn’t like the flag flying over the Statehouse,” he wrote. “I’m glad it is gone, because that was a little embarrassing. Where the flag is stationed now seems more appropriate. Perhaps we could put a equal monument on the Statehouse grounds honoring the many brave Blacks from the state, whether it be somebody who helped smuggle slaves to free states, someone who fought in World War II, or somebody who overcame poverty to become a popular entertainer. Whites do not have the market corned on bravery, you know.”