You nailed it!
That's the purpose of a constitution, not to be an engine for government, but to be a flywheel, or shock absorber. It keeps the system from responding too quickly to sudden change, so we have the time to think things over before we go messing with things. The constitution was not only written by a committee, but by one whose members were often bitter enemies with different philosophies. There is a lot they left hanging for future generations to deal with, and this is not a flaw, it is is very smart thinking.
They only made one mistake, not taking care of slavery while they had the chance. Some issues, unfortunately, have to be settled with firearms.