sentimentalism

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

sentimentalism
    n 1: the excessive expression of tender feelings, nostalgia, or
         sadness in any form
    2: a predilection for sentimentality

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Sentimentalism \Sen`ti*men"tal*ism\, n. [Cf. F.
   sentimentalisme.]
   The quality of being sentimental; the character or behavior
   of a sentimentalist; sentimentality.
   [1913 Webster]