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.

A