A very fine, 19th century gavel dating from the period just following black suffrage [1870]. After suffrage had been legally achieved, the struggle to achieve legal reform, the removal of judges not found to be impartial, and to secure access to voting were major continuing concerns for the freedmen, especially in the South. 

The specific context of the present gavel is unknown, though it dates to the period of use of the phrase "May God Defend the Right" by black voting access protesters and during protests calling for judicial impartiality. 

We suspect this was more likely used as part of a protest of black citizens, perhaps in Alabama or Georgia. During November of 1874, there were significant protests against the Democrats and their  paramilitary group, The White League, who often attempted to block access to the ballots, impose tests that negated black votes, etc., These protests grew more intense after the Election Massacre of 1874 on November 3, 1874 in Eufaula, Alabama, where The White League killed up to 40 black voters, injured another 70, and drove 1,000 black voters away from the polls. Those events just 5 days before the dating of our gavel. 

In very handsome, bespoke condition.