The magistrates reasons for doing what he did, is he came to the realization that 1). He, himself has realized the lack of justice in his ability to plead his case. 2). the punishment of the Barbarians was not justified. The magistrate has realized that he will not receive a fair trial, or the ability to explain his actions, he has critiqued “Civilization” and its ability to maintain and promote justice. The colonel has his perceived assumptions of the magistrates’ dealings and therefore finds the magistrates truths to be false.
The Magistrate then goes on to question whether crushing the Barbarians feet was justice. “Justice: once the word is uttered, where will it all ends? Easier to shout No! Easier to be beaten and made a martyr. Easier to lay my head on the chopping block than to defend the cause of justice for the Barbarians” (p.106)
The Magistrate sees justice for those that have the whole world against them as pointless, the “civilized” ones have their idea of a fair punishment for an unknown crime, and despite what this old man has said they will stick too it.
The Magistrate was not successful in his ranting; the Barbarians were still whooped senselessly by the Mob. Whether or not the Nomads were guilty of any crime was not discussed, nor was awareness raised. The settlers seemed not to be disturbed in any way by the actions that had occurred, they seemed elated that some form of twisted “JUSTICE” was served at their hands.