Since it was well known that the Republicans would be solid in their opposition to ratification, the rejection of the proposed Constitution was an assured fact.

But the supporters of the George scheme felt that they could not afford to have the results of their labors go down in defeat.

In order to prevent this they decided to deny the people the right of passing judgment upon the work of the Convention.

The decision, therefore, was that the Convention by which the Constitution was framed should declare it duly ratified and approved, and to go into effect upon a day therein named.

The people of that unfortunate State, therefore, have never had an opportunity to pass judgment upon the Constitution under which they are living and which they are required to obey and support, that right having been denied them because it was known that a majority of them were opposed to its ratification and would have voted against it.
But this so-called "understanding clause," or George scheme, is much more sweeping than was intended by its author.