Jefferson believed that a Bill of Rights was necessary to protect civil liberties and that, without a list of protected rights, the government could abuse its power. As a result, the Bill of Rights protects personal expression and property and legal rights. Madison, on the other hand, thought listing specific rights could ultimately limit the unmentioned rights that also needed to be protected. His concerns were answered by the inclusion of the Ninth and Tenth Amendments, which address the rights not specifically listed in the Constitution.
The debate was about a strong national government versus basic civil liberties. If it hadn't been for the debates on the amendments, who knows what would've been added and what not. Thanks to the debates, things like the right to bear arms and the right to refuse to give your home to the army were added, as well as things like the states having the right to decide things that are not decided by the congress.
