What was meant, when it was written, is perfectly clear. A little research into the change of language, the last 200 odd years, plus a casual review of the Federalist Papers, establishes the intent beyond any question.
Persons included full citizens (property owners), non voting citizens (non-property owners) and slaves.
Even our unenlightened First Fathers figured out that non property owners, having nothing to lose, would be the fatal flaw in a system where expenditures would be determined only through qualified citizens' voting for them.
That's right. We toss terms around freely these days, which is a problem when it comes to reading the Constitution or even things from 50 years ago in some cases. Corporations were added to the rank of persons later, which is more important than most people realize.