Whether the masses were literate or not was irrelavent as to the understanding of the law at that time in history. Whether a "reasonable man" could understand the meaning of the law as written is what mattered, intent had no standing as intent is what was codified when written. The Constitution's meaning is extremely clear in all respects. It takes "experts" to obfuscate new interpretations into it, and that is why we are where we are.
---max
Only the simple minded believe the complex is simple.