The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-02
IS SNUBBED.
By the Society Leaders of
Philadelphia.
NEW YORK 400" LEADERS
Hence Debate If She Is to
Be Recognized.

New York, March In the Journal
| prominent American women discuss the
attitude of Philadelphias society leaders
who decline to associate with Mrs. Lang
try, as follows: In Philadelphia Mrs.
Lang1ry has been snubbed. Some of the
most fashionable society women of the
Quaker City refuse to follow in the lead
OF New York or Great Britain. Many
doubt if the should lend even their names
to an entertainment in which the Jersey
Lily should even play a minor part Not
few make bold to say that she is not a
fit person for a virtuous woman to asso-
cfate with.
At concert to be given for the benefit
of the British soldiers under the auspices
of Mrs Wilfred Powell, the wife of the
English Consul at Philadelphia, it has
been announced that Mrs. Langtry will
appear and recite 1.-THE Absent Minded
.Beggar."
This is the announcement that has set
the four hundred of Philadelphia agog
Mrs. Langtry's 1.-The Chantant," given
a week ago in this city, aroused comment
The aroma of the tea sold there is dissi-
pa{ed the gold it brought has been de-
posted to the order of the Committee for
the African Ships Fund, even the echoes
Of the songs have died away, but the COM
/ment still continues. 1t grew with every
dollar Mrs. Langtry collected. 1t was
fed by every name added TO the list of her
patrons.
Broadcast from Harlem to the heights
of Jersey City this question was asked:
Should good, pure women associate with
Mrs. Langtry even for the sake of char
ity?'
1t was whispered by the timid; it was
demanded by the austere.
Mrs. Langtry does not deny that she
has had a past, so why should these la
dies?
stands by what she has done and makes
a bid for recognition in spite of it,
There is no need to recaoitulate her ca
reer. 1t has been as open as the day. 1t
may be said of her that she has not
sought to blind society.
She has not come to US in the guise of
penitent She is not here to solicit for
giveness. 1t is plainly evident that she is
here for business. Her career is the mo-
tif of her play. She is turning it to the
best momentary advantage. There is no
evidence of any desire to reform
Whatever rehabilitation has come to
her on British soil. she has fought for it,
demanded it. She has neither atoned for
it nor begged for it.
For the days when she feted as the Jer-
sey Lily by that set popularity accredited
to the Prince of Wales down to the link
ing of her name with that of Squire Abb
ington the press of two continents has
retailed her fortunes.
She herself has made them common
property. Therefore there can be no dis
courtesy in discussing the Iady's last bid
for favor. She issued under the guise of
charity and patriotism tickets for an in
formal tea. She invited New York's four
hundred to brush shoulders with-wen,
with her ermine-cIad ones.
Was she justified?
Even in response to the call for charity
should society have responded?
Has a woman who has proclaimed for
years her deviation from the paths of re-
spectablity the right to receive social
recognition?
And the mantle of charity-how far
should it descend, how much should it
cover? Under its guise should our women
of unblemished regulations have contrib
uted to the fund for the maintenance of
any cause, however worthy?
The announcement that Mrs. Astor
would be among the box tenants was a
trump card played day after day by the
committee in charge of the Chantant.
Mrs. Aston it was finally revealed, had
hl,- NC,
Was she justified even so far?
1t was an inducement. Follow your
leader is game played in childhood.
when steep hills and slippery places hold
forth the most alluring inducements.
Mrs. Astor had bought box The fash
ion was set, the game begun. few stray
sheep followed their purchases and lent
their presence. How should they know
where Mrs, Aston would pause?
An, that is the secret Of Follow your
leader!' If the followers rush on too far
they are apt to lose their balance.
How to preserve the balance, the duty
of the leaders, the attitude Of ali society.
and of all good women, even when Mrs.
Langtry summons in the name of char
ity, are ably discussed here by American
women.
The Princess SaIm- saln-'.Noth;ng
should be done for Mrs. Langtrv in this
matter. She has shown marvellous lack
Of tact in coming to this country to ask
aid for the hospital'ship Maine.
Socially the question is one on which
do not care to express myself. 1 am lib
eral in my ideas as woman to woman. If
Mrs. Langtry really desired In this way
to re-establish herself socially It would
have seemed better 10 have asked funds
for the Philippines. The first tea for Ma
Mia; the second, if so desired. for the
Maine
Mrs. Swift Of California-"If Mrs. Lang
try's object is the humanitarian one. an
women should help her. If it is for So
cial rehabilitation, women should not ex-
tend their hands To Mrs. Langtry anv
more than 70 any other woman who has
taken the position toward society that
she has. The question is one. however.
that each community must decide for it
self
Mrs. Theodore Sutro-'I have very pro
nounced views on the matter. but I must
defer discussion of the subject until
have reached the mature age indicated bv
gray hairs. II seems 10 ne unbecoming
10 younger women 10 discuss a question
involving gross immortality"
Mrs, Donald McLean-'I do not regard
Mrs. Langtry's appealing for aid for the
British in social light. Social recogni-
ton has nothing to do with the question
This matter Is managed differently IN
this country and in England Here COOP
Grafton FOR charlty's sake does not nsces-
sarily. and in fact. rerely. means social
recognition.
sarah T'r,1a,r os-s -