The Washington herald., 1909-04-18
Margaret Ellington.

Every one has the right 70 live his own
life unmolested, providing. of course. the
manner and means encroach upon the
rights Of no one else This is the social
law of the universe. in the exercise Of
which one is bound to consider the rights
Of others. and to observe the laws Of the
community in which he lives. Civiliza-
tion has made II easy for man 10 work
out his own destiny-countless avenues Of
endeavor are always open.
To what extent personal preference and
the judgment Of others shall influence the
individual is a matter Of circum-
stances In these days of the re-
newed agitation of the question Of equal
rights for women and the advent Of the
suffragette IL is extraordinary TO find a
woman leaving the broad pathway that
leads to fame for the humber walks Of
domesucity-and more especially when
her voice I'm the matter As absolute. Rather
we expect 20 see them leaving their
homes 10 join the ranks Of the workers.
and strive, side by side with the men. for
the honors and the glories that are the
worlds rewards of ability and success.
dramatic profession. No more promising
actress has appeared on our stage in the
last decade She had already reached a
point where public and critics were unan-
imous in regarding her as one of the
coming emotional actresses Of the day.
Her career has been all too short for
her name TO be a household word. but
recognition had come TO her that placed
her in the foremost ranks.
As the wife Of a prominent American
theatrical manager. Margaret Ilington's
pathway 10 success was assured Of free
dom from the obstacles that usually be-
set the young and inexperienced genius
To have genius and opportunity happily
combined IS given 10 few, but Margaret
Ellington deliberately turns her back on
her art and seeks the tranquility OF a
home and its useful and happy obscurity.
The glare of the spotlight, the smell
Of grease paint, and the drudgery Of the
stage in its material aspect hides from
her the nobler and artistic side of her
profession. She is tired Of it all-she has
weighed the considerations on either side.
so she declares-and makes her decision
IN favor Of the home and OF babies and
all that go to make for feminine happi-
ness.
The Innate wOmanliness is strong in
This actress, so strong. indeed. as TO shut
out all other considerations. It Is a tenn
peramental asset which gave her the me
teoric success she gained As a wife
and a mother she will no doubt be emil
nently successful. though she may at
times have flashes Of recollection which
VIII bring her back to the moments Of
triumph she enjoyed when she swayed
huge gatherings Of people to smiles or
70 tears at will
But there IS another side 70 fhis In
the pursuit OF, her right as a human be-
ing to shape, so far as she is able. her
own destiny. Margaret Ellington is de-
Hberately rObbing art and its supporters
She forgets that the genius she regards
so lightly is powerful to give happiness
70 countless thousands OF her fellow-be-
ings. Has she the right to ignore this
call for sacrifice on her part? The
wrecked lives Of geniuses furnish a chap
ter Of history which is not pleasant TO
contemplate. We prefer not to dwell up-
on It, but it seems to have been neces-
sary in this scheme Of things that bitter
sacrifices must be made In order that
the world may progress. Genius is a
Juggernaut which ruthIessly crushes all
obstacles IN its path. II fame and am
bition furnish no allurements. then a
sense Of duty 10 fellUw-men should ac-
tuate the individual in making the most
OF his powers
The stage. like every other field OF ar
tistic endeavor, is entitled 10 the best
ability procurable Many a splendid
housewife and mother was spoiled in
the making of a mediocre actress, or
painter, or singer. But these instances
cannot be proven. Has Margaret Hing
ton the right to destroy a genius. in order
70 indulge in her domestic idyl?
II her retirement TO private life is seri-
Gus, it is distinct loss to the profession.
It is also a strong argument in favor
Of the contention that the home and its
interests possess for the true and normal
woman. attractions superior TO those
which public work can possibly offer.