The New York herald., 1879-12-08
OBITUARY.

GABRIEL RANvIER, COMMUNIST LEADER.
The celebrated Gabriel Ranver, the member Of the
Paris commune who superntended the overthrow
Of the vend0me Column, died in Paris the 2Gth
ult aged sixty-two years. He had been refugee in
England. Belgium ana Italy since 1871 and had not
been amnestied but had been allowed by the police
to visit Paris few days before to settle impor
tant business Ranvier born at Scissors in 1917
and became decorative painter aeParis. In 1866 he
prosecuted by the art publishers. Gouril
Freres for reproducing article OF furniture
design Of which they held the copyright and became
Impoverished in consequence Of the heavy damages
he had to pay. He then took to frequenting
and violently haranguing the radical clubs
of Belleville and imprisoned at Mazas
for sedition in July, 1870. Liberated on the
fall Of the Empire, Ranvisr became commander
OF battalion of tho National Guard and close
sociate of Gustave Flourens to whom it was said
that he Supplied the brains" He took part in the
abortive movement of October 81. 1870. a member
Of the provisional government then projected by
the communists. and was in consequence arrested
and deprived Of his command on the following day.
While still in prison he elected November
sndire of the Twentieth ar0ndissement; but his
election declared illegal account Of his being
q bankrupt This declaration increased his popu-
larity among the ouurers; and February 8. 1871.
he obtained above 10000 votes for a scat In the
National Assembly, but failed OF election. Mean
while had escaped from prison. had acted dele
gate to the Central Committee of tho National
had resulted in his acquittal. by the aid of hil
relations with the National Guard Ranver was OF
the chief organizers OF the communstic outbreak Of
March IL, 1871 which, 1t is said he had been pre-.
pairing for above throe months. Being put in pos
session OF the post of mdire Of his arrondssement
he issued March % call for the election OF MEN,
bers of the commune the following day and was
himself elected by above l4.000 votes. Taking his
seat March 80 he assigned to the military com.
mission. resumed command of his battalion
and accompanied Flourens in the famous sortie
oral wps killed Rsnvier urged in the
the appointment of committee of public safety
which. was finally carried May 2 with himself as
he who signed the decree for the destruction Of
tho house Of Thiers of the "Expiatory Chapel" and
OF the Vend6me Column. and he personally directed
the latter At tho moment Of the entry OF the
Versailles army he signed various violent decrces
including the order to burn the public ediiices. He
escaped to England and presided the Interna-
tional Congress held at The Hague In 1872. Lattery
was the keeper Of the sainte Pelagio Prison during
the last days OF the commune, and participated in
the execution OF Gustave Chandey Though RAN
vier did not become SO widely known some of hir
companions of the commune few Of them ap-
proached him in talent or real Importance.
COLONEL CHARLES SPENCER MERCHANT, U. s. A.
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General Charles
Spencer Merchant on the retired list Of the United
States Army, died Carlisle. Pa. Saturday. the
9th inst. Colonel Merchapt appointed to tho
Military Academy on September, 7, 1912, and on
March IL, 1914. made third lieutenant Of the
First artillery. and on the lst of May following was
promoted to second lieutenant. He made first
lieutenant on April 90 1913. and transferred to the
Second artillery June /. 1921. He was promoted to
a captaincy in that regiment Nov. II. 1884, and was
made major tho i4th of February. lS40. and
colonel on June TO- 1857. He retired on August
l. 1868. having served over fortyhve years. On the
l3tn of March. 1865. he brevettcd brgader gen.
era for long and faithful service in the army. Since
his retirement which took place while he was In
command OF Bedloe's Island. Colonel Merchant has
resided in Carlisle. whore he carried with him all
the traditions OF officer OF the old school in
army His death BREAKS another link which binds
our military establishment to the mmories of
Resaca dc la Palma. Buena Vista, Churubusco and
Molina del Rey.