The late Mr. Jan Brand, that noble President who was succeeded by Reitz and
now by Steyn in the presidency of the Orange Free State, appeared to have
had early intimations, or at least presages, as to the true nature of the
Afrikaner Bond, for during the early eighties that association had yet posed
as a harmless body, intended to preserve old Boer traditions upon perfectly
constitutional lines. President Brand and some others then already suspected
more, as the following incident will show. In 1883 President Brand
officially opened the new wagon-road bridge over the Caledon River at
Commissie drift, near Smithfield, Orange Free State. Towards the conclusion
of the ceremony, one of the other speakers, Mr. Advocate Peeters, member of
the Volksraad for Smithfield district, in the course of his speech formally
suggested that President Brand should accept the leadership of the Orange
Free State section of the Afrikaner Bond. The President, addressing the
burghers and all present, replied in about the following terms: The proposal
just then made by Advocate Peeters had pained and offended him; the festive
event would be marred by that incident were it not that it afforded him the
opportunity, which he otherwise would have missed, of telling them all what
he thought of the Afrikaner Bond—that it was an evil thing; he could not
find terms strong enough to warn the people against its subtle seductions.
The Afrikaner Bond professed its objects to be peace and harmony, but it
really contained the pernicious seeds of division and strife, to set up
enmity between English Afrikaners and Boer Afrikaners. He pointed out the
sincerity of friendly relations on the part of England towards both the
Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republics. The peace which restored to
the Transvaal its independence a few years before was one big proof; his
Government had many proofs of England's good will, too. It suited both
parties to maintain harmony—it behoved every Afrikaner to be one-minded in
friendly reciprocation. Through a gracious Providence both Republics were
prosperous and enjoyed independence. All over the world the prosperity of
States depended upon good relations with their neighbours—this was
especially so as regards the Orange Free State. They knew what kind of bond
the Bible enjoined. It was the bond of peace and concord; and he concluded
by declaring his well-grounded fears that the Afrikaner Bond was a device of
the devil directed against the well-being of the entire Afrikaner nation.
Instead of being encouraged, it should, like the "Boete Bosch"[7] (Xanthium
spinosum, burr weed), be extirpated from the soil of South Africa.
MEMORANDA OF BOND PROGRAMME, EMANATING FROM HOLLAND (TRANSLATION FROM
GLEANINGS).
The Afrikaner Bond has as final object what is summed up in its motto of "Afrika
voor de Afrikaners."[8] The whole of South Africa belongs by just right to
the Afrikaner nation. It is the privilege and duty of every Afrikaner to
contribute all in his power towards the expulsion of the English usurper.
The States of South Africa to be federated in one independent Republic.
The Afrikaner Bond prepares for this consummation.
Argument in justification:—
(a) The transfer of the Cape Colony to the British Government took
place by circumstances of force majeure and without the consent of the Dutch
nation, who renounce all claim in favour of the Afrikaner or Boer nation.
(b) Natal is territory which accrued to a contingent of the Boer
nation by purchase from the Zulu King, who received the consideration agreed
for.
(a) The British authorities expelled the rightful owners from Natal
by force of arms without just cause. The task of the Afrikaner Bond consists
in:—Procuring the staunch adhesion and co-operation of every Afrikaner and
other real friend of the cause.
(b) To obtain the sympathy, the moral and effective aid of one or
more of the world's Powers. The means to accomplish those tasks are:—
Personal persuasion, Press propaganda, legislation and diplomacy.
The direction of the application of those means is entrusted to a select
body of members eligible for their loyalty to the cause and their abilities
and position. That body will conduct such measures as need the observance of
special secrecy. Upon the rest of the members will devolve activities of a
general character under the direction of the selected chiefs.
One of the indispensable requisites is the proper organization of an
effective fund, which is to be regularly sustained. Bond members will aid
each other in all relations of public life in preference to non-members.
In
the efforts of gaining adherents to the cause it is of importance to
distinguish three categories of persons—
(1) The class of Afrikaners who are to some extent deteriorated by
assimilative influences with the English race, whose restoration to
patriotism will need great efforts, discretion, and patience.
(2)The apparently unthinking and apathetic class, who prefer to relegate all
initiative to leaders whom they will loyally follow. This class is the most
numerous by far.
(3) The warmly patriotic class, including men gifted with intelligence,
energy, and speech, qualified as leaders and apt to exercise influence over
the rest.
Among those three classes many exist whose views and religious scruples need
to be corrected. Scripture abounds in proofs and salient analogies applying
to the situation and justifying our cause. In this, as well as in other
directions, the members who work in circulating written propaganda will
supply the correct and conclusive arguments accessible to all.
Upon the basis of our just rights, the British Government, if not the entire
nation, is the usurping enemy of the Boer nation.
In
dealing with an enemy it is justifiable to employ, besides force, also means
of a less open character, such as diplomacy and stratagem.
The greatest danger to Afrikanerdom is the English policy of Anglicizing the
Boer nation—to submerge it by the process of assimilation.
A
distinct attitude of holding aloof from English influences is the only
remedy against that peril and for thwarting that insidious policy.
It
is only such an attitude that will preserve the nation in its simple faith
and habits of morality, and provide safety against the dangers of
contamination and pernicious examples, with all their fateful consequences
to body and soul.
Let the Dutch language have the place of honour in schools and homes.
Let alliances of marriage with the English be stamped as unpatriotic.[9]
Let every Afrikaner see that he is at all times well armed with the best
possible weapons, and maintains the expert use of the rifle among young and
old, so as to be ready when duty calls and the time is ripe for asserting
the nation's rights and be rid of English thraldom.
Employ teachers only who are animated with truly patriotic sentiments.
Let it be well understood that English domination will also bring religious
intolerance and servitude, for it is only a very frail link which separates
the English State Church from actual Romanism, and its proselytism en bloc
is only a matter of short time.
Equally repugnant and dangerous is England's policy towards the coloured
races, whom she aims, for the sake of industrial profit, at elevating to
equal rank with whites, in direct conflict with scriptural authority—a
policy which incites coloured people to rivalry with their superiors, and
can only end in common disaster.
Whilst remaining absolutely independent, the ties of blood relationship and
language point to Holland for a domestic base.
As
to commerce, Germany, America, and other industrial nations could more than
fill the gap left by England, and such connections should be cultivated as a
potent means towards obtaining foreign support to our cause and
identification with it.
If
the mineral wealth of the Transvaal and Orange Free State becomes
established—as appears certain from discoveries already made—England will
not rest until those are also hers.
The leopard will retain its spots. The independence of both Republics is at
stake on that account alone, with the risk that the rightful owners of the
land will become the hewers of wood and drawers of water for the usurpers.
There is no alternative hope for the peace and progress of South Africa
except by the total excision of the British ulcer.
Reliable signs are not wanting to show that our nation is designed by
Providence as the instrument for the recovery of its rights, and for the
chastisement of proud, perfidious Albion.
FOOTNOTES:
7. Literally "bush of fines" (fines imposed on landowners where the burr
weed was not eradicated).
8. Africa for the African citizen or African-born whites.
9. It is notorious that from about 1890 such marriages were denounced from
the Boer pulpits and on the occasions of the Independence day anniversaries
(16th December).
