But most delegates believed everyone had rights the government could not give or take away.
Many state constitution said clearly what those rights were. In the final days of the Philadelphia Convention, another delegate from Virginia, George Mason, stood and proposed that the national constitution also describe the people's rights-for example, the right to be judged in court by a jury of local citizens, or the right to follow a religion freely.
Some delegates agreed with George Mason. But others, including Madison, did not think a bill of rights was necessary. If the rights came naturally, opponents argued, they did not need to be described.
Besides, most delegates were tired. They were ready to go home to their families and their other work. They voted not to include a bill of rights.
George Mason was so angry he refused to sing the final document.
Two other delegates also refused to sing. Eldridge Gerry of Massachusetts objected especially to the lack of a bill of rights. Edmund Randolph, who had presented Madison's plan, thought the Constitution gave too much power to the central government.
What kept some delegates from agreeing to sing the Constitution?
They were afraid to a give power to a central government
The delegates thought states had too much power
The delegates wanted the people's rights to be specified
They wanted to have a prime minister rather than a president