The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1907-11-25
COMING OUT CONVENTION
Caud L'Enele's Comments on that Inn
portant, Long to be Rem rendered
Occasion
Tallahassee sun. Nov. o3D

There are always at least two ways
II looking al thing. and il is well to
consider all tie ways there are e /! '.l-
ing at any given propositic- bore
making and commitment about it hat
might rise up 10 haunt one afterwar Is,
ike the ghost of Banquo did Macbeth
the night before his last day on earth
and the ghost OF Caesar did 10 Brutus
in the early morning hours before
Philippi.
There are more than two ways of
looking at the Coming Out Convention
held in Ocala last Thursday. / will try
to remember them all in setting forth
my impressions of that event.
There were not many people there.
and in this the Coming Out Conven-
ton was a disappointment. The fault
for this paucity of attendance did not
lie with the city OF Ocala, which threw
open its gates 10 all who might choose
TO enter: nor did il lie on the hOary
head of Frank Harris, who is the old
est living member of the Florida irur-
nalistic fraternity; nor upon the mid
Gagged shoulders Of Editor Bittinge-.
who did as much as Editor Harris did
to induce the people to attendant
everybody knows that Editor Harris
did wonders. Perhaps the reason why
the people did not attend in greater
numbers lies at the door of the Wall
street gamblers. who are guilty of 50
many sins, all of which are brought
home to us more particularly than
usual during these days when ready
money seems obsolete.
In point of enthusiasm, or whaC
might be termed the rising up of the
masses to cheer and encourage those
who announced themselves as their
leaders the Coming Out Convention
was not great. Those who did attend
confined themselves rather TO friendly
expression OF cordial sympathy than
to the emitting of the glad HuZzah.
They gave the speakers close atten-
ton and apparently thoughtful con-
sideration. but they did not rise W
with hats in hand and proclaim aloud
their enthusiasm for any candidate
who announced.
But as practical, soul. satisfying
demonstration of the spirit Of neigh
borly and genuine Unrestrained and
spontaneous hospitality on the part Of
the people of one community to express
their fellowship to those who came into
il and mingled with them, no matter
whence they came or who they were.
the Ocala Coming Out Convention was
great and glorious success.
1t was one of those occasions in
which each man felt that he was the
favored guest, and this spirit of whole
some cordially possessed every citizen
Of Ocala There was not in evidence
a formal lining up of a specially des-
ignated reception committee, which
has always about it an element of stiff
ness despite the utmost efforts Of those
forming the line 10 rob it Of this ease
killing feature. Every man there was
a reception committee all 10 himself
ard joined with every other man, res
ident of Ocala, in the determination
tO.make each visitor feel that he was
one Of them.
1t is a fine thing to go To a place
like this and be one of a gathering
like that Coming Out Convention was
II makes a man feel more in sympa-
thy with his fellow men. 1t loOsens
the stays that too great cOncentra-
ton on his own private concerns and
personal affairs fastens on the natUr-
ally sympathetic heart of a man, and
enables him to follow the inclinations
of the gregariOds animal that he is
and thus to find joy in being with 9th
Ct men. Gatherings like this Of which
this one ] am talking about was con-
scicuous and shining example. brOaders
a mans horizon, gives him new ideas
stirS up the sluggish molecules of his
brain. so that new thoughts might flow
into it. The very fact that these gath
erings make men better acquainted
with each other, serves 10 make then
like, respect and honor each Other
more. better understanding Of the
impulses that guide each other is near
" always followed by a better feelins
between men. The very opportunity al
forded to all those who were fortunate
enough 70 attend this memorable con
yention. t. look into the eyes Of mel
whom they knew not before save b!
unreliable reporting of another per
son, was great enough to cause new
friendships to be made. This was III
feature Of the Oca!a Coming Out con
vention. and this feature alone mad
il great.