I believe that the intent of this was to show that "the people", meaning (at the time of drafting) Emancipated White Males could vote in free assembly for a measure which would then be put to the state lawmakers and from them into state law.

Today it would mean that any moron of any color, gender, whether a legal or illegal resident of the USA could vote with their riots and destructive actions to force their will upon the rest of society of the state.