Evening star., 1922-06-15
The World Was Better Because of
Her Presence.

The demise of Mrs. Alexander p.
leans as stage artist and friend Of
humanity, brought from the editors
of the nation sincere and eloquent
expressions of sorrow. Her magnetic
personality, charm and ability are
warmly commented on.
Lillian Russell had a good time
with life." suggests the New York
World. This and her beauty are
the facts that dominate the thought
when one sits down to write or her
in terms of fare veil. Her beauty
has become q traction of the Amer
lean stage. Her public life began IN
her early girlhood. She dies by no
means full of years. Her interest in
people and affairs did not end when
she retired from the stage and the
legend of her loveliress will linger
gratefully through long years to
great versatility. the Cincinnati
Times-Star points out. and the real
tragedy of her death Is that it comes
Just at the height Of her usefulness
But even If her star thus disappears
at its zenith, her greatest achieve
ment remains. She becomes an IN.
spiration to a profession that has not
always shown public spirit. She has
shown stage women the way toward
high political ideals and civic patriot
ism" Gifted and beautiful. leader
in her profession. public and manag-
head, the Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch
points out. There never was a man
or woman in her own companies. or
in companies with which she appear
ed, who did not love her. Generous.
kindly, gentle and considerate. she
created and held affection back-stase
as surely as she. glittered before the
footlights." And from her life les
SON is drawn by tho Asbury Park
Press, which says 1.-The success of
Lillian Russell. like the success Of
countless others who have won their
discouragements, Is an inspiration to
those who survive her. Her life
refutes the mouthings Of the radicals
and malcontents who assert that only
the wealthy have q chance to win sue
cess"
Her latest public service probably
was her greatest. although 1t result
her death, the Wheeling IntelliGencer
declares. because. in her report on
the problems of immigration, "she
has stated some new thoughts. When
she says that people from Europe no
longer need a reIuge I'VE recognize
also, the statement that America no
longer needs labor for development:
This was the last public message of
Lillian Russell to the people of the
America she loved SO well. 1t is impor-
tant to all Of us" This report was was
Evening World says. and ''to the end Of
her life she retained the wholesome vi
tality, amiability and magnetism that
were the accompaniments and pre-
|servatives of her great beauty. When
ever in recent years she appeared in
the stage to receive the biggest,
heartiest ovation of the performance.
There are many fair women left In
the theater.- But for the older part.
at least. of the present generation
one of it's most brilliant and cher
ished lights has been extinguished."
And "from a career as public enter
tainer she became a servitor of the
government in its more prosy but not
less important affairs" the Nashville
Banner points out. "and thousands
will regret the death Of the beautiful,
moment Of vocal art and dramatic
genius"
The whole country ''is conscious Of
bereavement" the Boston Globe be-
lteyes, because her mission in life was
independent of her calling. although
that profession gave her the oppor-
tunity to become widely knoYn. She
dispensed the indefnabie thing called
personality. Because she was contin-
ually her charming self the world was
at her feet. BY thousands they sought
her out and went away enriched It
was able to see her heart, the Allen
town Cali says, and at was one that
could not but evoke public admiration
and respect. In q sense her life was a
sacrifice to public service, since her
death was brought about through an
accident" Her passing also removes
q link between old times and new" the
Durham Sun suggests, that was more
real and convincing than 1t could have
been II served by any other popular
favorite to whom the memory reverts." :"
Her life on the stage resulted in her
having "served notably in the eleva-
ton and distinction Of her profession. :"
the Cincinnati ENQUIRER points out. and
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