Political Compromise

When did it become the purpose of government and politics to reach across the aisle, shake hands and compromise? Why is compromise now the desired achievement? Why is the tendency and desire to compromise by our elected officials considered to be a good thing?
 
When did accepting lower results and standards become desirable? When did mutual concession become the goal? 

I am very tired of hearing elected types, from both sides of the aisle, talk about reaching across the aisle to their Democrat/Republican friends and achieving some sold out version of the original purpose, a consolation prize. 

Compromise is today’s achievement. How sad.