In other words, true federalism can thrive only in a society in which people are sober, honorable, jealous of their liberties and, most importantly, God fearing. Since Southern culture has traditionally embodied all of these virtues, Southern nationalists argue that the first and foremost concern should be preserving this legacy. Southern nationalists also reject much of the intellectual legacy of the Enlightenment which has tended to emphasize the immediate gratification of human needs over transcendent values such as faith, honor and patriotism. There's been much talk lately about the rise of secessionism in America. On the other hand, many Paleo-federalists already advocate secession from the United States, arguing that the U.S. federal system is beyond repair.
Southern nationalists are similarly divided.
A few believe that the socio-cultural traditions of the South can be preserved within the present institutional framework, providing there is a return to traditional cultural and religious values. Others, however, believe that traditional Southern culture can be preserved only in a separate Southern nation state. No state in the United States, either prior to or following the War Between the States, has voted to relinquish it's sovereignty. Indeed, many states legislatures throughout the United States have passed so-called 10th Amendment resolutions within the past year reaffirming their status as sovereign states. Paleo-federalists and Southern nationalists would contend that secession is as much of a reserved right today as it was in 1861 when the shore batteries off Charleston harbor lobbed the first artillery shell on Fort Sumter.