Final answer:
Historically, American responses to new immigrants were often hostile and resistant, influenced by job competition, cultural differences, and prejudiced legislation, despite some individuals being more welcoming and supportive.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering how Americans, or old immigrants, would respond to the characters of the new immigrants, it is important to consider the historical context of immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Based on historical attitudes and patterns of discrimination towards Asian immigrants and people from eastern and southern Europe, it seems likely that the response would not be entirely positive.
Given the backdrop of economic competition, cultural differences, and prejudiced legislation such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the most accurate description of the American (old immigrants) response to the new immigrants would likely be hostile and resistant (option D). These reactions were fueled by fear of job competition, differences in language and religion, and a sense of cultural superiority among the established Americans of the time.
Overall, while some individuals and groups were certainly welcoming and supportive, the predominant attitudes were cautious, apprehensive, and often hostile towards the new immigrants.