Basically, they were statesmen
I agree, some examples would be helpful. But the basic idea is that these men, who I often disagreed with on policy, were willing to discuss and compromise to get things done for the country. Right now, we have a party that refuses to pass anything if it is proposed by the other party, even if they might agree with it. It is done out of spite. They have even said as much publicly. They'd rather burn the house down than paint it, so long as they can blame the other side to gain power.